Hepatitis A and B vaccination--the rate of uptake and course completion in patients with hepatitis C.
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.
Fredericks
Trinity
T
Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program, Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Health Department of Western Australia. trinity.fredericks@health.wa.gov.au
Kwan
Kellie
K
Mak
Donna
D
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