The recommendations made at the Ninth TAG meeting are reaffirmed. Hepatitis B vaccination programs should be initiated and continued in areas of high prevalence and among groups at high risk, with wider use depending on the epidemiological situation and the availability of resources.
Recommendations:
- Vaccination of infants is best accomplished by integrating hepatitis B vaccine into national immunization programs, with catch-up programs for older children as needed. Vaccination of specific high risk groups, such as health care workers, should be continued.
- Attempts should be made to include hepatitis B vaccine in the revolving fund for vaccine purchases, so that it can be provided to participating countries at an affordable price.
- Cost data for various countries should be obtained so that cost-benefit models can be applied to evaluate policies for routine infant immunization with hepatitis B vaccine.
- Other efforts to reduce rates of hepatitis B virus transmision should be encouraged and continued, including education efforts to reduce risk behaviors, hepatitis B screening in blood donation centers, and promotion of safe injection practices.
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