Universal Infant Hepatitis B Immunization Recommended

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Universal infant hepatitis B immunization recommended

All countries should offer universal infant immunization for hepatitis B, write

Dr. Mackie from McMaster University and coauthors in a public health

analysis.

Epidemiological studies suggest that roughly one-third of chronic hepatitis B

infections are acquired during infancy and early childhood.

In Canada, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Prince Island are the only

provinces to offer universal hepatitis B vaccination to infants. The incidence

of acute hepatitis B in BC is now consistently below the national average, after

years of having a higher incidence rate. Globally, 98% of universal hepatitis B

immunization programs are offered in infancy.

While vaccination for adolescents offers protection, booster shots are

unnecessary for those who were immunized as babies.

" The few jurisdictions that continue to offer universal immunization in

adolescence rather than infancy should consider changing to an infant program, "

write the authors. They advocate adequate national immunization registries and

surveillance systems to monitor vaccine strategies.

By Canadian Medical Association Journal