Albania has been a country with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B vaccine has been introduced nationwide in Albanian Immunization Program in 1994. Hepatitis B is given at birth, as a separate antigen...Albania has been a country with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B vaccine has been introduced nationwide in Albanian Immunization Program in 1994. Hepatitis B is given at birth, as a separate antigen, followed by three doses at 2, 4 and 6 months, where Hepatitis B, starting from 2009, is part of pentavalent vaccine of DTP-HepB-Hib. The aim of this study was to evaluate Immunization Program with Hepatitis B vaccination in order to prove program efficacy, increase public confidence in immunizations and advocate for sustainable immunization programs. Methodology was based on three components such as Immunization coverage surveys, serologic surveys and surveillance for acute cases of Hepatitis B. Results of this study showed that vaccination coverage is really high, more than 95% all over the country and with drop-out rates less than 10%. Anti-HBs levels in immunized children were very high in comparison with unimmunized ones. Incidence of HBV in children 0-14 years old is almost zero. Such results tell us that Hepatitis B vaccination is one of the most fruitful strategies for long term control of Hepatitis B disease.展开更多
文摘Albania has been a country with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B vaccine has been introduced nationwide in Albanian Immunization Program in 1994. Hepatitis B is given at birth, as a separate antigen, followed by three doses at 2, 4 and 6 months, where Hepatitis B, starting from 2009, is part of pentavalent vaccine of DTP-HepB-Hib. The aim of this study was to evaluate Immunization Program with Hepatitis B vaccination in order to prove program efficacy, increase public confidence in immunizations and advocate for sustainable immunization programs. Methodology was based on three components such as Immunization coverage surveys, serologic surveys and surveillance for acute cases of Hepatitis B. Results of this study showed that vaccination coverage is really high, more than 95% all over the country and with drop-out rates less than 10%. Anti-HBs levels in immunized children were very high in comparison with unimmunized ones. Incidence of HBV in children 0-14 years old is almost zero. Such results tell us that Hepatitis B vaccination is one of the most fruitful strategies for long term control of Hepatitis B disease.
