Experience with the new German hepatitis B vaccination strategy since 1995

In Germany general hepatitis B (HB) vaccination for newborns and adolescents was introduced in all federal states following the recommendation of the STIKO (Permanent Vaccination Commission) of 1995. In 1998 serological studies of the German National Health Survey showed that at least 9.8% in the age group of 18 to 19 years had been vaccinated against HBV infection. By 1996 the vaccine doses sold for children rose dramatically and started to reach a plateau of approximately five million per year in 1997. Data from the kassenärztliche Vereinigung of the Oberpfalz region in Bavaria also indicate that the new policy started to be implemented in 1996. At school entry, however, in 1997 only 10% of the children in seven West German states showed serological evidence of HB vaccination coverage. According to observations of virologists, paediatricians and public health experts the current acceptance of the HB vaccination recommendations is 80%-90% in children below the age of six years but only 30% to 40% in adolescents. To achieve high HB vaccination coverage rates in Germany more rapidly a modern surveillance system providing detailed data about vaccination coverage in the different age and population groups is needed. Based on those data additional targeted vaccination strategies for those that can only be contacted by the traditional health care system, such as teenagers and vulnerable groups, should be developed, involving the public health service, local communities and other agencies.