A significant reduction in hepatitis B virus infection among the children of Shandong Province, China: the effect of 15 years of universal infant hepatitis B vaccination.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of the universal infant hepatitis B vaccination program on hepatitis B infection in China.


METHODS
In 2006, a survey was conducted in Shandong Province, China, among children aged 1-14 years, 15 years after the introduction of universal infant hepatitis B vaccination. The subjects were selected by stratified, multi-stage sampling. Vaccination history was obtained by immunization certificate (when available) or parent recall. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and core antigen (anti-HBc) were detected by ELISA. Hepatitis B infection was defined as the presence of HBsAg and/or anti-HBc. The prevalence rates of HBsAg, anti-HBs and hepatitis B infection obtained in this survey were compared with the results of a survey conducted in 1992 (prior to universal vaccination).


RESULTS
A total of 3738 children aged 1-14 years were included in the final analysis. A vaccination coverage rate of 93% was achieved in 2006. The prevalence rates of HBsAg and hepatitis B infection decreased from 8% and 46% in the 1992 survey to 1% and 4%, respectively, in the 2006 survey.


CONCLUSIONS
Universal hepatitis B vaccination in infants can result in a 90.47% reduction in hepatitis B infection in children aged 1-14 years.
Zhang
Li
L
Shandong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China.
Xu
Aiqiang
A
Yan
Bingyu
B
Song
Lizhi
L
Li
Manshi
M
Xiao
Zuokui
Z
Xu
Qing
Q
Li
Liming
L
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines