Implementing a national policy for hepatitis B birth dose vaccination in Philippines: lessons for improved delivery

Background

An estimated seven million Filipinos (10-12% of the population) are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Achieving high birth dose coverage with hepatitis B vaccine is critical for achieving the World Health Organization's Western Pacific Regional goal of reducing the prevalence of chronic HBV among children 5 years of age to <2% by 2012.

Methods

Seven months after the Philippines adopted a hepatitis B vaccine birth dose policy, hospitals with the highest number of deliveries were invited to participate in an assessment of implementation of the birth dose policy. Additionally, in metro Manila birth dose coverage was estimated before and after conducting a training workshop and supervisory follow-up for practitioners conducting home deliveries or deliveries at lying-in clinics.

Results

Of the country's largest 150 hospitals in terms of authorized bed capacity, 85 (56%) were included in this assessment. These hospitals had 55,719 deliveries during July-September 2007. Of these, 54% infants had a documented birth dose; however, only 22% were vaccinated within 24 h of delivery. Having a copy of the hepatitis B vaccine vaccination policy (prevalence odds ratio [pOR] = 4.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-18.0), having standing orders pOR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.3-18.1 and providing training pOR = 18.9, 95% CI = 5.3-67.0 were associated with >50% birth dose coverage in a hospital. In metro-Manila, regardless of place of birth, the training workshop and supervisory follow-up significantly improved hepatitis B vaccine administration within 24 h after birth, increasing from 19% before to 74% after the training workshop and follow-up.

Conclusions

Experience in the Philippines showed that actions by national, regional and health facility policy makers such as establishing national policies, distributing detailed and specific guidelines, conducting effective training and supervision, and having hospital standing orders substantially increased hepatitis B vaccine birth dose coverage.     

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection markers among children in Ukraine, 2017

BackgroundBefore hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) introduction, level of endemicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Ukraine was estimated as intermediate but the prevalence of HBV infection markers has not been measured in population-based serosurveys. Coverage with 3 doses of HepB, introduced in 2002, was 92%-98% during 2004–2007 but declined to 21%-48% during 2010–2016. To obtain data on HBV prevalence among children born after HepB introduction, we tested specimens from a serosurvey conducted in Ukraine in 2017, following circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreak in 2015, among birth cohorts eligible for polio immunization response.MethodsThe serosurvey was conducted in Zakarpattya, Sumy, and Odessa provinces, and Kyiv City, targeting 2006–2015 birth cohorts. One-stage cluster sampling in the provinces and stratified simple random sampling in Kyiv were used for participant selection. All participants were tested for antibodies against HBV core antigen (anti-HBc). Anti-HBc-positive children were tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). We also obtained information on HepB vaccination status for all children.ResultsOf 4,596 children tested, 81 (1.8%) were anti-HBc-positive and eight (0.2%) were HBsAg-positive. HBsAg prevalence was 0.7% (95% confidence interval, 0.3%-1.4%) in Zakarpattya, 0.1% (0.0%-0.4%) in Sumy, 0% (0.0%-03%) in Odessa, and 0.1% (0.0%-0.8%) in Kyiv. Across survey sites, the proportion of recipients of ≥ 3 HepB doses was 53%-80% in the 2006–2009 cohort and 28%-59% in the 2010–2015 cohort.ConclusionHBV prevalence among children in surveyed regions of Ukraine in 2017 was low, including in Zakarpattya—the only site above the 0.5% European Regional target for HBsAg seroprevalence. However, HepB vaccination was suboptimal, particularly among children born after 2009, resulting in large numbers of unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated children at risk of future HBV infection. HepB coverage should be increased to further reduce HBV transmission among children in Ukraine and achieve regional and global hepatitis B control/elimination targets.     

宁波市实施乙型肝炎疫苗计划免疫后儿童乙型肝炎病毒血清流行病学研究

目的了解宁波市实施乙型肝炎疫苗(乙肝疫苗)计划免疫7年后,儿童乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染及免疫状况.方法采用整群分层抽样法调查1982～1995年出生儿童血清HBsAg和抗-HBs阳性率(RIA法).结果①1992～1995年出生的免疫人群HBsAg阳性率为2.66%,比未免疫人群(10.95%)下降了75.71%(χ2=22.91,P＜0.0001);②免疫人群抗-HBs阳性率达65.95%,显著高于未免疫人群的41.03%(χ2=113.67,P＜0.0001);③在计划免疫后的第5～7年起显现了免疫人群HBsAg阳性率升高和抗-HBs阳性率下降的迹象.结论宁波市实施乙肝疫苗计划免疫7年后,儿童对HBV已呈现出高免疫、低感染的特征;但需进一步研究计划免疫4～5年后,免疫人群HBsAg阳性率升高、抗-HBs阳性率下降的现象和乙肝疫苗加强免疫的适时问题.     

Predictors of hepatitis A vaccination among young children in the United States

We analysed data from the 2009 National Immunization Survey to determine potential predictors of hepatitis A vaccination coverage among children aged 19-35 months. Overall national coverage was 75% for ≥1 dose. Residence in a state with hepatitis A vaccination recommendations prior to 2006, or in a metropolitan statistical area within such state, or being a minority child were among the variables independently associated with higher vaccination coverage. While hepatitis A vaccination coverage has improved since nationwide routine childhood vaccination began in 2006, coverage remains lower than that for other recommended childhood vaccines.     

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination coverage among adults with chronic liver disease

BackgroundInfection with hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality in persons with chronic liver disease (CLD). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends hepatitis A (HepA) and hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination for persons with CLD.MethodsData from the 2014 and 2015 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS), nationally representative, in-person interview surveys of the non-institutionalized US civilian population, were used to assess self-reported HepA (≥1 and ≥2 doses) and HepB vaccination (≥1 and ≥3 doses) coverage among adults who reported a chronic or long-term liver condition. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with HepA and HepB vaccination among adults with CLD.ResultsOverall, 19.4% and 11.5% of adults aged ≥ 18 years with CLD reported receiving ≥1 dose and ≥2 doses of HepA vaccine, respectively, compared with 14.7% and 9.1% of adults without CLD (p < .05 comparing those with and without CLD, ≥1dose). Age, education, geographic region, and international travel were associated with receipt of ≥2 doses HepA vaccine among adults with CLD. Overall, 35.7% and 29.1% of adults with CLD reported receiving ≥1 dose and ≥3 doses of HepB vaccine, respectively, compared with 30.2% and 24.7% of adults without CLD (p < .05 comparing those with and without CLD, ≥1 dose). Age, education, and receipt of influenza vaccination in the past 12 months were associated with receipt of ≥3 doses HepB vaccine among adults with CLD. Among adults with CLD and ≥10 provider visits, only 13.8% and 35.3% had received ≥2 doses HepA and ≥3 doses HepB vaccine, respectively.ConclusionsHepA and HepB vaccination among adults with CLD is suboptimal and missed opportunities to vaccinate occurred. Providers should adhere to recommendations to vaccinate persons with CLD to increase vaccination among this population.     

Prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus infection before and after implementation of a hepatitis B vaccination program among children in Nepal

Background

In Nepal, an estimated 2–4% of the population has chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. To combat this problem, from 2002 to 2004, a national three dose hepatitis B vaccination program was implemented to decrease infection rates among children. The program does not currently include a birth dose to prevent perinatal HBV transmission. In 2012, to assess the impact of the program, we conducted a serosurvey among children born before and after vaccine introduction.

Methods

In 2012, a cross-sectional nationally representative stratified cluster survey was conducted to estimate hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence among children born from 2006 to 2007 (post-vaccine cohort) and among children born from 2000 to 2002 (pre-vaccine cohort). Demographic data, as well as written and oral vaccination history were collected. All children were tested for HBsAg; mothers of HBsAg positive children were also tested. Furthermore, we evaluated the field sensitivity and specificity of the SD Bioline HBsAg rapid diagnostic test by comparing results with an enzyme immunoassay.

Results

Among 2181 post-vaccination cohort children with vaccination data by either card or recall, 86% (95% confidence interval [CI] 77–95%) received ≥3 hepatitis B vaccine doses. Of 1200 children born in the pre-vaccination cohort, 0.28% (95% CI 0.09–0.85%) were positive for HBsAg; of 2187 children born in the post-vaccination cohort, 0.13% (95% CI 0.04–0.39%) were positive for HBsAg (p = 0.39). Of the six children who tested positive for HBsAg, two had mothers who were positive for HBsAg. Finally, we found the SD Bioline HBsAg rapid diagnostic test to have a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%.

Conclusions

This is the first nationally representative hepatitis B serosurvey conducted in Nepal. Overall, a low burden of chronic HBV infection was found in children born in both the pre and post-vaccination cohorts. Current vaccination strategies should be continued.     

山东省儿童突破性乙型肝炎病毒感染发生率及原因初步分析

目的 了解山东省新生儿普种乙肝疫苗以来儿童中突破性乙肝病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)感染发生率及可能原因.方法 选取2006年山东省乙肝血清学调查中1～15岁(1992-2005年出生)且明确完成3剂次及以上乙肝疫苗免疫的儿童作为研究对象,共3527名.对所有研究对象进行问卷调查,同时采集静脉血标本,检测乙肝病毒表面抗原(hepatitis B surface antigen,HBsAg)、乙肝病毒表面抗体(antibody against HBsAg,Anti-HBs)和乙肝病毒核心抗体(antibody against hepatitis Bcore antigen,Anti-HBc);对其中HBsAg阳性儿童的父母进行随访,采集其静脉血标本检测HBsAg.采用logistic回归分析突破性HBV感染、突破性慢性HBV感染的相关因素.结果 3527名研究对象总体突破性HBV感染率为3.15％ (111/3527),随出生年份的后移而呈下降趋势(x2趋势=44.83,P＜0.01),其中1992年出生儿童最高(9.9％,16/161),2000年最低(0.8％,2/258);自述父、母亲及其他家庭成员HBsAg阳性者(15.22％,7/46、34.09％,15/44、17.65％,6/34)均高于阴性者(2.99％,104/3481、2.76％,96/3483、3.01％,105/3493)(x2值分别22.28、13.97、23.68,P值均＜0.01);首针接种不及时者(5.37％,41/763)高于及时者(2.53％,70/2764)(x2=15.60,P值均＜0.01).突破性慢性HBV感染率为1.08％ (38/3527),随出生年份的后移而呈下降趋势(x2趋势=9.96,P＜0.01),其中1992年出生儿童最高,为3.1％ (5/161),1997年出生儿童最低,为0.4％(1/261);自述父、母亲及其他家庭成员HBsAg阳性者(13.04％,6/46、29.55％,13/44、17.65％,6/34)均高于阴性者(0.92％,32/3481、0.72％,25/3483、0.92％,32/3493)(x2值分别62.62、338.80、88.44,P值均＜0.05);首针接种不及时者(1.83％,14/763)高于及时者(0.87％,24/2764),差异均有统计学意义(x2=5.16,P=0.02).多因素分析显示,自述父、母亲HBsAg阳性者突破性HBV感染风险高于阴性者[OR(95％CI)值分别为3.73(1.09 ～ 12.75)、26.76(11.86 ～60.37)],出生年份早(1992-2001年)会增加其风险[OR(95％CI)=1.91(1.10 ～ 3.32)],与东部城市相比西部城市的风险最高[OR(95％ CI)=6.00(2.50 ～ 14.40)],自述父、母亲及其他家庭成员HBsAg阳性者突破性慢性HBV感染的风险高于阴性者[OR(95％ CI)值分别为7.51(1.44 ～39.17)、99.99(34.29 ～ 291.62)、8.94(1.81 ～44.10)];与他人共用牙刷会增加其风险[OR(95％CI) =8.67(1.14-66.14)],与东部城市相比西部农村的风险最高[OR(95％ CI)=12.51(2.78 ～56.25)].随访发现,HBsAg阳性儿童母亲和父亲HBsAg阳性者比例分别为12/23和6/19.结论 山东省儿童突破性HBV感染率和突破性慢性HBV感染率均较低.母婴传播可能是儿童突破性HBV感染的主要原因,但家庭内水平传播亦不容忽视.     

Prevention of hepatitis B mother-to-child transmission in Namibia: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Despite access to a safe and effective vaccine, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) persists in Africa. This is of concern since perinatally-infected infants are at highest risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, a life-threatening consequence of chronic HBV infection. While tools to prevent HBV MTCT are available, the cost implications of these interventions need consideration prior to implementation. A Markov model was developed to determine the costs and health outcomes of (1) universal HBV birth dose (BD) vaccination, (2) universal BD vaccination and targeted hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG), (3) maternal antiviral prophylaxis using sequential HBV viral load testing added to HBV BD vaccination and HBIG, and (4) maternal antiviral prophylaxis using sequential HBeAg testing combined with HBV BD vaccination and HBIG. Health outcomes were assessed as the number of paediatric infections averted and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. Primary cost data included consumables, human resources, and hospital facilities. HBV epidemiology, transitions probabilities, disability weights, and the risks of HBV MTCT were extracted from the literature. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated to compare successive more expensive interventions to the previous less expensive one. One-way sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the model’s outputs. At the Namibian cost/DALY averted threshold of US$3 142, the (1) BD vaccination + targeted HBIG, and (2) maternal antiviral prophylaxis with sequential HBeAg testing interventions were cost-effective. These interventions had ICERs equal to US$1909.03/DALY and US$2598.90/DALY averted, respectively. In terms of effectiveness, the maternal antiviral prophylaxis with sequential HBeAg testing intervention was the intervention of choice. The analysis showed that elimination of HBV MTCT is achievable using maternal antiviral prophylaxis with active and passive immunization. There is an urgent need for low cost diagnostic tests to identify those women who will most benefit from drug therapy to attain this laudable goal.     

乙型肝炎母婴传播阻断成功儿童乙型肝炎病毒突破性感染的特征

目的了解乙型肝炎(乙肝)母婴传播阻断成功儿童乙肝病毒(HBV)突破性感染及其影响因素。方法选取江苏省淮安市淮安区2009年9月-2011年1月乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)阳性母亲所生儿童,且乙肝母婴传播阻断成功。阻断成功定义为儿童按国家免疫程序在完成出生时乙肝疫苗(HepB)和乙肝免疫球蛋白以及1、6月龄HepB接种后7-12月龄HBsAg阴性,HBV突破性感染定义为阻断成功儿童在12月龄后HBsAg阳性或24月龄后乙肝核心抗体(HBcAb)阳性。至2019年9月进行5次随访并检测HBV血清标志物,分析HBV突破性感染及其影响因素。结果本研究共纳入儿童390名,其中12名29-117月龄儿童发生HBV突破性感染,发生率为3.08%(12/390),均为乙肝核心抗体(HBcAb)阳性和HBsAg阴性。乙肝疫苗(HepB)初次免疫无、低、正常、高应答儿童HBV突破性感染率分别为25.00%、6.67%、2.61%、0.95%;母亲HBeAg阳性、阴性的儿童分别为9.76%、0.00%;母亲高、低HBV病毒载量的儿童分别为11.96%、0.34%。儿童HBV突破性感染发生密度为0.36/100人年;多因素Cox回归分析显示,HepB初次免疫低或无应答、母亲高病毒载量是儿童HBV突破性感染的危险因素(HR=5.91,95%CI:1.87-18.71;HR=45.81,95%CI:5.88-356.96)。结论乙肝母婴传播阻断成功儿童的HBV突破性感染发生率较低;母亲HBeAg阳性、母亲高HBV病毒载量、HepB初次免疫低或无应答的儿童更易发生突破性感染。     

上海市某社区中小学及幼儿园乙肝病毒感染率及乙肝疫苗免疫情况调查

目的 调查上海市唐镇社区中小学及幼儿园学生乙肝病毒感染状况及乙肝疫苗免疫效果,为乙肝防控工作提供依据.方法 采用横断面调查的方式,随机抽查本社区幼儿园、小学和中学各一所中所有学生,调查相关影响因素,并以ELISA法定性检测乙肝两对半,观察本社区中小学生及幼儿的乙肝病毒感染状况及乙肝疫苗免疫效果,分析不同影响因素与乙肝病毒感染及免疫成效的关系.结果 中小学生及幼儿儿童的乙肝疫苗接种率及全程乙肝疫苗接种率,以年龄越小,接种率越高;学生的HBsAg、抗HBs、HBeAg、抗HBe和抗HBc的阳性率分别为0.55％、30.85％、0.28％、0.28％和0.83％;HBsAg阳性率与家庭成员乙肝病史、未接种乙肝疫苗相关,3～5岁组抗HBs阳性率要高于其他各年龄组别(P＜0.05).结论 该社区中10岁以上学生乙肝疫苗全程接种率和抗HBs阳性率较低,需要加强乙肝疫苗免疫接种等多种措施来提高乙肝免疫水平.     

Long term observation of the effect of intradermal hepatitis B vaccination on mentally retarded patients

Sixty-two patients of two institutions for mentally retarded patients were immunized intradermally with 4 ug doses of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine made in Japan, initially at month 0,1, and 6. The three vaccinations induced antibodies in 93.5% (90.9% in those with Down's syndrome (DS), 94.1% in other forms of mental retardation (OMR)) of the vaccinees within 9 months after the first injection, and the percentage of geometric mean titers of antibody above 10 mIU/ml was 89.3% (81.8% DS, 84.3% OMR) within 9 months. Within 2 years, the seroconversion rate showed a significantly higher decrease in subjects with DS (54.5%) than in OMR (86.3%), and the percentage of vaccinees with above 10 mIU/ml also showed a significantly higher decrease in subjects with DS (36.4%) than in those with OMR (74.5%) (p < 0.05). In the OMR patients, the antibody response persisted for 2 years, decreased remarkedly in the DS patients.Corresponding author.     

云南省2019年8月龄-14岁儿童乙型肝炎血清流行率调查

目的了解2019年云南省<15岁儿童乙型肝炎(乙肝)血清流行率。方法采用分层随机抽样在云南省所有县(市、区)抽取387个乡镇1149个村(居委会、社区)的8月龄-14岁儿童,采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测血清乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)、乙肝表面抗体(HBsAb)和乙肝核心抗体(HBcAb),分析三项标志物组合模式和阳性率。结果在21177名调查儿童中共检出8种HBsAg、HBsAb和HBcAb组合模式,其中三项指标均阴性、仅HBsAb阳性、HBsAb和HBcAb阳性、仅HBcAb阳性分别占31.26%、59.40%、6.46%、2.51%。儿童HBsAg、HBsAb、HBcAb总阳性率分别为0.37%、66.00%、9.17%;乙肝疫苗(HepB)全程接种、未全程接种、免疫史不详儿童HBsAg阳性率分别为0.35%、0.59%、0.82%(χ²=5.27,P=0.07);首剂及时、不及时接种儿童分别为0.34%、0.58%(χ²=4.48,P=0.03)。8月龄-4岁、5-9岁、10-14岁儿童HBsAg阳性率分别为0.32%、0.43%、0.61%(趋势χ²=5.05,P=0.03)。结论2019年云南省8月龄-14岁儿童HBsAg阳性率降至较低水平,但随年龄增长呈增加趋势;HepB接种对阻断儿童乙肝传播的效果显著。需进一步提高适龄儿童HepB全程和首剂及时接种率。     

中国11城市乙型肝炎病毒慢性感染者中乙型肝炎病毒基因型分布

目的了解中国乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）慢性感染者中HBV基因型的分布情况。方法收集北京、清远、深圳、石家庄、汉川、南京、长春、济南、聊城、宁波和温州市共1214份HBV DNA阳性的慢性HBV感染者血清样本,用型特异性引物聚合酶链反应法（PCR）进行基因型测定,并对其中部分样本以PCR产物直接测序验证。结果在1214份血清中,检测到A基因型9例,占0．7%;B基因型345例,占28．4%;C基因型709例,占58．4%;B、C混合基因型（B＋C）151例,占12．4%。未检测到其他基因型。北方地区（长春、北京、石家庄市等）慢性HBV感染者中,C基因型比例较高,分别为58．2%、67．5%和63．6%,山东省聊城和济南市的C基因型比例分别高达90．2%和87．9%。随地理位置南移,B基因型比例逐渐增加,广东省清远和深圳市的B基因型比例分别为71．4%和63．6%。结论HBV基因型分布有明显地区差异。在中国慢性HBV感染者中,HBV C和B基因型为主要流行株。北方地区以C基因型为优势株,而南方地区则B基因型较为多见。     

Trend in incidence of hepatitis B virus infection during a decade of universal childhood hepatitis B vaccination in Saudi Arabia

Since 1990, the national strategy to eliminate hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Saudi Arabia has included universal administration of HBV vaccine to all infants. From 1990 to 1995 this vaccine was also routinely administered to children at school entry. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among children before this programme was reported to be 6.7%. The objective of this study was to describe the trend in incidence of HBV infection over a decade of surveillance following the introduction of this programme. From January 1990 to December 1999 a total of 30,784 cases of HBV infection (positive for HBsAg) were reported. The total number of HBV infections among children <15 years of age was 4180 cases, with a prevalence of 0.05%. The total number of HBV infections among adults was 26,604 cases, with a prevalence of 0.22%. The prevalence varied by region, ranging from 0.03% to 0.72% with a mean prevalence of 0.15%. There was a clear decline in incidence among children whereas the incidence in adults slightly rose, perhaps owing to population growth estimated to be 3.3% annually. This study showed that the universal childhood HBV vaccination programme had an enormous positive impact on HBsAg seroprevalence among children in Saudi Arabia.     

启东乙型肝炎干预研究:2013年随访人群HBV感染及慢性肝病现患调查

目的 分析新生儿接种乙型肝炎(乙肝)疫苗人群在达到婚配年龄后罹患慢性乙肝、肝硬化的远期保护作用。方法 2013年1-10月采用横断面调查方法,对启东乙肝干预研究(QHBIS)的研究对象分层随机抽样,并行ALT、HBV感染血清学标志物(HBsAg、HBeAg、抗-HBs、抗-HBc、抗-HBe)检测及肝胆B超检查。计算HBV感染血清学标志物各指标的阳性率,慢性乙肝及肝硬化的患病率,疫苗组及对照组人群按性别分层后, χ²检验比较各组间率的差异。结果 共获得新生儿乙肝疫苗接种组(疫苗组)4 421人和对照组3 880人,平均年龄分别为(25.59±1.84)岁和(26.61±2.24)岁。疫苗组HBsAg、单独抗-HBs、抗-HBc、HBeAg、抗-HBe阳性率分别为2.38%、37.73%、3.78%、0.57%、2.15%,对照组分别为9.02%、29.41%、16.83%、2.73%、8.87%,两组间血清学标志物各指标的差异均有统计学意义(P <0.05)。疫苗组慢性乙肝活动期、肝纤维化及肝硬化患病率分别为0.45%和0.16%,对照组分别为1.29%和0.39%,组间差异均有统计学意义(P <0.05)。按性别分层后,疫苗组男性慢性乙肝活动期患病率高于女性,差异有统计学意义(P <0.05);在对照组,不管是慢性乙肝活动期患病率还是肝纤维化及肝硬化患病率,男性均高于女性,差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。结论 新生儿接种乙肝疫苗对慢性HBV感染的保护作用可延长至婚配年龄后,而不同性别人群慢性乙肝与肝硬化现患保护作用的差异值得进一步研究。     

Annual influenza vaccination reduces total hospitalization in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection: A population-based analysis

BackgroundThis study evaluated hospitalization and mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV (+)) and matched comparison patients after stratifying the patients according to annual influenza vaccination (Vaccine (+)).MethodsData from Taiwan's National Health Insurance program from 2000 to 2009 were used to identify HBV(+)/vaccine(+) (n = 4434), HBV(+)/Vaccine(−) (n = 3646), HBV(−)/Vaccine(+) (n = 8868), and HBV(−)/Vaccine(−) (n = 8868) cohorts. The risk of pneumonia/influenza, respiratory failure, intensive care, hospitalization, and mortality in the four cohorts was evaluated.ResultsThe total hospitalization rate was significantly lower in patients with chronic HBV infection who received an annual influenza vaccination than in chronic HBV-infected patients who did not receive an influenza vaccination (16.29 vs. 24.02 per 100 person-years), contributing to an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.56 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.50–0.62). The HBV(+)/Vaccine(+) cohort also had lower risks than the HBV(+)/Vaccine(−) cohort for pneumonia and influenza (adjusted HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.67–0.92), intensive care unit admission (adjusted HR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.25–0.43), and mortality (adjusted HR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.15–0.24).ConclusionsOur results suggest that annual influenza vaccination can reduce the risk of hospitalization and mortality in patients with chronic HBV infection.     

Progress in newborn hepatitis B vaccination by birth year cohorts-1998-2007, USA

Background

In 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) issued a joint statement on thimerosal in vaccines, which advised clinicians to temporarily postpone the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine for infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative women. In 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated the strategy to improve prevention of perinatal and early childhood hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission.

Objectives

To evaluate the progress in hepatitis B birth dose vaccination coverage in birth year cohort from 1998 to 2007 and assess the impact of changes in ACIP recommendations on the birth dose coverage.

Methods

Birth year cohort study of hepatitis B birth dose vaccination status of 200,865 children aged 19-35 months in the United States and by selected socio-demographic factors; percentage increases of hepatitis B birth dose vaccination coverage between two consecutive birth year cohorts from 1998 to 2007.

Results

From 1998 to 1999, hepatitis B birth dose vaccination coverage declined overall in the United States and among selected socio-demographic groups (P < 0.001). Conversely, from 1999 to 2007 hepatitis B birth dose vaccination coverage increased significantly by birth year cohort (P < 0.001), from approximately 30% in the 1999 birth year cohort to approximately 60% in the 2007 birth year cohort. The first significant increase in hepatitis B birth dose vaccination coverage occurred from 2000 to 2001 birth year cohort. Coverage increases ranged from 8.4% to 11.9% (P < 0.001) in the U.S. and across all socio-demographic strata. The second largest increase in hepatitis B birth dose vaccination coverage occurred from 2005 to 2006 birth year cohort in the U.S. and among almost all socio-demographic strata, ranging from 5.6% to 8.7% (P < 0.001). Forty-one of the 50 states and the District of Columbia (80%) in the U.S. had increases in hepatitis B birth dose vaccination coverage from 2005 to 2006 birth year cohort.

Conclusions

The United States has made substantial progress in increasing hepatitis B birth dose vaccination and recovered from coverage declines associated with temporary postponement of the birth dose in 1999. The hepatitis B birth dose coverage in the U.S. remains substantially below the Healthy People 2020 target of 85%.     

乙型肝炎疫苗免疫时间和接种状况对预防HBV感染的影响

乙型肝炎(乙肝)疫苗免疫是预防儿童HBV感染策略的重要组成部分。既往研究表明及时接种乙肝疫苗首针可有效降低儿童HBV感染风险,并促进儿童完成3剂次乙肝疫苗和其他疫苗系列接种。     

Using data to guide policy: Next steps for preventing perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission in Cambodia

Background

Cambodia is highly endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Preventing perinatal HBV transmission should be prioritized in health facilities by providing hepatitis B vaccination to all infants within 24 h of birth (timely birth dose coverage).

Methods

Teams assessed birth dose policy, practices and coverage in hospitals and health facilities in 10 provinces in Cambodia.

Results

Fifty-one sites were assessed. Median (interquartile range) timely birth dose coverage was 66% (48–92%); coverage was 88% (range = 60–96%) in facilities vaccinating on-site and 48% (range = 20–52%) in those referring off-site (p < 0.0001). Overall, 5 (29%) of 16 hospitals that referred vaccination off-site did not tell mothers vaccination should take place within 24 h of birth, and 6 (35%) discharged mothers when no vaccination services were available for infants to receive the birth dose.

Conclusions

Newborns can miss a time-sensitive opportunity to be protected against perinatal HBV infection when they are referred for vaccination off-site rather than being vaccinated in the delivery facility. These data support the case to strengthen policies and practices to provide hepatitis B birth dose vaccination in the delivery facility.     

Hepatitis B surface antigen seroprevalence among children in the Philippines, 2018

The World Health Organization Western Pacific Region (WPR) set a hepatitis B virus (HBV) control target to achieve HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence of <1% among children aged 5 years by 2017. The estimated HBsAg prevalence in the Philippines among adults was 16.7% during the pre-vaccine era. We estimated the HBsAg seroprevalence among children aged 5–7 years to measure the impact of vaccination.We conducted a household serosurvey, using a three-stage cluster survey methodology (provinces, clusters, and households). We estimated HBsAg prevalence using a rapid, point-of-care HBsAg test and calculated vaccination coverage by reviewing vaccination records or by caregiver recall. A questionnaire was administered to assess demographic variables for the child and family. We assessed the association between chronic HBV infection, vaccination coverage, and demographic variables, accounting for the complex survey design.Of the 2178 children tested, HBsAg was detected in 15 children [0.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4, 1.7]. Only two of the HBsAg-positive children had been fully vaccinated against HBV. Based on documented vaccination or caregiver recall for the survey population, hepatitis B vaccine birth dose (HepB-BD) coverage was 53%, and the third dose hepatitis B vaccination (HepB3) coverage was 73 percent. Among the 1362 children with documented HepB-BD, timely HepB-BD coverage (given within 24 h of birth) was 43%; children born outside a health facility were less likely to receive a timely HepB-BD than those born in a health facility (adjusted odds ratio 0.10, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.23).HBsAg prevalence among children in the Philippines has decreased compared to the prevalence among adults in the pre-vaccination era. Strategies to further reduce HBsAg prevalence include ensuring that all children, whether born in health facilities or at home, receive a timely HepB-BD, and increasing HepB-BD and HepB3 coverage to reach the WPR goals of ≥95% coverage.