title: Hepatitis A and B vaccination--the rate of uptake and course completion in patients with hepatitis C.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Western Australian general practitioners may order Department of Health funded hepatitis A and B vaccines for patients newly notified with hepatitis C to prevent complications associated with co-infections. The aim of this study was to determine vaccination uptake of hepatitis C patients through this program.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed hepatitis C notifications and hepatitis A and B vaccine orders received in 2007 and 2008 to determine the rate of vaccine uptake and course completion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vaccination orders for initial doses were received for 37% (448/1209) of patients. Vaccination uptake was positively associated with age and non- Aboriginality. Final vaccination doses were ordered for 30% of patients for whom an initial order had been received.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uptake of hepatitis A and B vaccination was higher than that of similar populations. However, vaccination course completion was low. General practitioners need to emphasise to their patients the importance of completing a vaccine course.
authors.affiliation: Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program, Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Health Department of Western Australia. trinity.fredericks@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: Trinity
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fredericks
authors.forename: Kellie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mak
mesh_terms: D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006526:Hepatitis C; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011322:Primary Prevention; D014904:Western Australia