Status of hepatitis B screening and vaccine use in facilities for mentally retarded persons.

State mental retardation program directors in all 50 states were questioned on the status of hepatitis B screening and immunization programs in facilities for mentally retarded persons. Results from 43 states indicated serologic screening of selected residents and staff in 37 states and limited use of the new hepatitis B vaccine in 36 states, primarily in institutions and group homes. Not all states were sharing results of screening tests with school systems in which residents were enrolled. Attention should be addressed to the need for vaccination in community settings and the development of guidelines for schools in preventing the transmission of hepatitis B.