Hepatitis B vaccination among high-risk adolescents and adults--San Diego, California, 1998-2001

Abstract

The national strategy to eliminate hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission is based on 1) screening all pregnant women for hepatitis B surface antigen and post-exposure vaccination of infants of infected mothers; 2) vaccinating all infants as part of the childhood vaccination schedule; 3) vaccinating children and adolescents not vaccinated previously; and 4) vaccinating adolescents and adults in groups at increased risk for infection. These strategies have been implemented successfully in the United States except for the vaccination of adults and older adolescents at high risk. This report describes the initial findings of a hepatitis B vaccination program for potentially high-risk adolescents and adults conducted in areas of San Diego County, California. The findings indicate that high rates of hepatitis B vaccination can be achieved in clinics and programs that serve persons at high risk for HBV infection through the integration of hepatitis B vaccination into routine preventive health-care services. Improved efforts to vaccinate adolescents and adults at increased risk for HBV infection are critical to reduce disease incidence and prevent chronic HBV infection.