Trends of Acute Hepatitis B Notification Rates in Eastern China from 2005 to 2013 |
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Authors: | Zhifang Wang Yaping Chen Jinren Pan |
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Affiliation: | Department of Immunization Programme, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.; The Australian National University, Australia, |
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Abstract: | Zhejiang Province was a high endemicity for hepatitis B disease in the 1990''s. A number of measures implemented since then have begun to control and prevent hepatitis B. In 1992, hepatitis B vaccine came on the market. In 2002, hepatitis B vaccine was included in the national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Between 2007 and 2010, catch-up vaccination was implemented for children under 15. Since 2010, vaccination guidelines for high-risk groups have also been adopted. This study evaluated the impact of these control and prevention strategies on acute hepatitis B notification rates from 2005 through 2013. Data from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS) revealed a steady downward trend in notification rates of acute hepatitis B. The most dramatic decline occurred among pre-adults, highlighting the benefits of EPI''s policy of universal vaccination for children. However, the highest notification rates occurred among young adults of lower socio-economic status. These findings indicate the strong need to vaccinate young adults at risk for HBV infection as well as to collect risk-factor information in the NNDRS for monitoring and following up persons with acute hepatitis B. |
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