Hepatitis B Immunization Strategies: Expanding the Target
Authors: William Schaffner
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1993)

Editorials15 February 1993Hepatitis B Immunization Strategies: Expanding the TargetWilliam Schaffner, MD, Pierce Gardner, MD, and Peter A. Gross, MDWilliam Schaffner, MDVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2637. School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794. Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ 07601. New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103.Search for more papers by this author, Pierce Gardner, MDVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2637. School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794. Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ 07601. New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103.Search for more papers by this author, and Peter A. Gross, MDVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2637. School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794. Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ 07601. New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-118-4-199302150-00011 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Excellent vaccines against hepatitis B infection have been available for a decade but, despite this, the incidence of hepatitis B has increased by 37%.A study by Bloom and colleagues in this issue of the Annals finds that the use of hepatitis B vaccine is cost-effective. Consequently, they support more comprehensive strategies of vaccine delivery. Universal immunization of infants has recently become standard practice. Their recommendation that all 10-year-olds should be immunized as well is sound. However, the immunization of infants and pre-teens will not have a substantial effect on the occurrence of hepatitis B for more than a decade. Therefore, ...References1. Hepatitis B virus: a comprehensive strategy for eliminating transmission in the United States through universal childhood vaccination. Recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP). MMWR. 1991; 40(RR-13):1-25. Google Scholar2. McQuillan GM, Townsend TR, Fields HA, Carroll M, Leahy M, Polk BF. Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in the United States 1976 to 1980. Am J Med. 1989; 87(Suppl 3A):5S-10S. Google Scholar3. Alter MJ, Hadler SC, Margolis HS, Alexander WJ, Hu PY, Judson FN, et al. The changing epidemiology of hepatitis B in the United States. Need for alternative vaccination strategies. JAMA. 1990; 263:1218-22. Google Scholar4. Prevention of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus: prenatal screening of all pregnant women for hepatitis B surface antigen. MMWR. 1988; 37:341-6, 351. Google Scholar5. Bloom BS, Hillman AL, Fendrick AM, Schwartz JS. A reappraisal of hepatitis B virus vaccination strategy using cost-effectiveness analysis. Ann Intern Med. 1993; 118:298-306. Google Scholar6. Mulley AG, Silverstein MD, Dienstag JL. Indications for use of hepatitis B vaccine, based on cost-effectiveness analysis. N Engl J Med. 1982; 307:644-52. Google Scholar7. Wainwright RB, McMahon BJ, Bulkow LR, Hall DB, Fitzgerald MA, Harpster AP, et al. Duration of immunogenicity and efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine in a Yupik Eskimo population. JAMA. 1989; 261:2362-6. Google Scholar8. Krahn MD, Detsky AS. Universal hepatitis B vaccination: the economics of prevention. Can Med Assoc J. 1992; 146:19-21. Google Scholar9. Feitelson M. Hepatitis B virus infection and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1992; 5:275-301. Google Scholar10. Beasley RP, Hwang LY, Lin CC, Chien CS. Hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis B virus. A prospective study of 22 707 men in Taiwan. Lancet. 1981; 2:1129-33. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: William Schaffner, MD; Pierce Gardner, MD; Peter A. Gross, MDAffiliations: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2637. School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794. Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ 07601. New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103.Corresponding Author: William Schaffner, MD, Department of Preventive Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2637. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoA Reappraisal of Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination Strategies Using Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Bernard S. Bloom , Alan L. Hillman , A. Mark Fendrick , and J. Sanford Schwartz Metrics Cited byAntibody kinetics among 8–10 years old respondents to hepatitis B vaccination in a low endemic country and the effect of a booster dose given 5 or 10 years laterViral Sexually Transmitted Disease Vaccine Acceptability Among College StudentsEconomic evaluations of hepatitis B immunization: a global review of recent studies (1994-2000)VACCINES AND HEPATITIS BEfficacy of a High and Accelerated Dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine in Alcoholic PatientsIMMUNOGENICITY OF LOW-DOSE INTRAMUSCULAR AND INTRADERMAL VACCINATION WITH RECOMBINANT HEPATITIS B VACCINETherapy for Chronic Hepatitis B InfectionHepatitis B immunization in adolescentsColonic strictures in cystic fibrosis.Horizontal transmission of hepatitis B from children to adoptive parents.Hepatitis B Control in Saudi Arabia: Is Universal Vaccination for Newborns Enough?A long-term follow-up of hepatitis B vaccination in patients with congenital clotting disordersClinical aspects of hepatitis B virus infectionforum 15 February 1993Volume 118, Issue 4Page: 308-309KeywordsCancer vaccinesHepatitis BInfantsInfectious hepatitisIntramuscular injectionsMedical risk factorsPrevention, policy, and public healthRecreational drug useVaccinesYoung adults ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 15 February 1993 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1993 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...