A hepatitis B vaccination programme for inner metropolitan Sydney neonates.

Abstract

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE; To review the effectiveness of a hepatitis B vaccination programme for high risk infants within a mobile urban population. DESIGN: A follow-up study of 1429 infants enrolled consecutively in the programme from September 1987 to December 1988. SETTING: The programme was established in early childhood centres within inner metropolitan Sydney, an area where 30% of residents were born in non-English speaking countries and where doubts had previously been expressed about the efficacy of vaccination. PARTICIPANTS: Neonates born to mothers who were surface antigen positive, born in selected countries with a 5% prevalence of surface antigen carriage, Aboriginal or intravenous drug users. OUTCOME MEASURES: Documented vaccination given by early childhood centre nurses. Some adjustment was made for parents' reports of vaccination given elsewhere. RESULTS: Two vaccinations were given to 87% and three to 73% of these infants. If we include vaccinations apparently given elsewhere we estimate that 92% may have been fully protected. CONCLUSION: The programme produced high rates of compliance with vaccinations within a population where the delivery of such a service was thought to be difficult. Experience with the current State policy for hepatitis B vaccination indicates that it may not optimally reduce the pool of surface antigen carriers within our community.