Expansion of Hepatitis B Immunization Program

1986 Vol.2 NO.8

Correspondence Author:

Abstract:

On July 1, 1984, the Hepatitis B Immunization Program was initiated to screen all pregnant women for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and immunize infants born to HBsAg positive mothers with 4 doses of hepatitis B vaccine!|. Infants born to !§high risk!‥ mothers (e-antigen positive or HBsAg titer 1:2560) receive both hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine. In the first two years of the program, approximately 80% of all pregnant women were screened; 17% were found HBsAg positive. About 85% of infants born to these women received one or more doses of vaccine. Half (50%) the HBsAg positive women were “high risk”, and 80% of their infants received HBIG.