Hepatitis B immunization programme: Spain.

Until the early 1990s, the hepatitis B prevention strategy in Spain was based exclusively on selective vaccination of high-risk groups. However, this strategy proved inadequate in reducing the incidence of disease and the prevalence rate of chronic carriers. In October 1991, the Autonomous Region of Catalonia embarked on a programme of universal immunization targeted at 12-year-olds. A few months later, in June 1992, the National Council on Health issued the recommendation that the "autonomous regions, taking into account their budgets and infrastructures, should establish HB immunization programmes for adolescents as soon as possible". Currently, the 17 autonomous regions are carrying out adolescent immunization programmes against HB.