Hepatitis B immunization of Asian Pacific Islanders in the United States.

BACKGROUND

There are numerous strategies recommended in the United States for control of the hepatitis B virus, including universal vaccination of infants and adolescents and vaccination of all high risk populations. A recent hepatitis B vaccination program conducted in Philadelphia, PA, focused on effective ways to educate and vaccinate the high risk Asian Pacific Islander population.

METHODS

Multiple intervention activities were used for both health care providers and Asian Pacific Islander community members, including one-to-one educational programs.

RESULTS

Intervention activities did increase hepatitis B vaccination coverage to 34%, but coverage increase was less than has been shown with other programs.

CONCLUSION

The intervention program, however, may have a long-lasting positive impact on vaccination coverage because postintervention, study participant health care providers began to offer a more flexible vaccination delivery system. It is likely that the total cost of $135943 for all intervention activities will prevent future costly cases of chronic hepatitis B and its serious related sequelae among this high risk population.