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The hepatitis B immunization strategy in Nova Scotia: is it effective?
C Poulin1, T W Gyorkos, L Joseph
1Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Summary
Hepatitis B disease and vaccine use rose in Nova Scotia, but current immunization strategies targeting high-risk groups are ineffective. Expanding coverage, possibly through pooled vaccine orders to reduce costs, is recommended for better public health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Hepatitis B disease and vaccine utilization have significantly increased in Nova Scotia since 1987.
- Disease incidence is rising, particularly in specific regions, with increasing links to lifestyle-related risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review hepatitis B vaccine utilization in Nova Scotia in relation to disease occurrence.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the current provincial hepatitis B immunization strategy.
Main Methods:
- Review of hepatitis B disease incidence and vaccine utilization data in Nova Scotia.
- Analysis of risk factors associated with hepatitis B cases in high-incidence regions.
- Assessment of the current provincial immunization strategy's effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis B cases in high-incidence areas are increasingly linked to lifestyle risk factors.
- Vaccine utilization has primarily targeted occupational risks, not broader lifestyle-related risks.
- The current strategy of recommending immunization to targeted high-risk groups has been deemed ineffective.
Conclusions:
- The cost of the hepatitis B vaccine is a major barrier to implementing expanded or universal immunization strategies.
- Pooling hepatitis B vaccine orders across Canada could significantly reduce costs.
- Provincial programs should consider expanding coverage to include at-risk populations and adolescents before engaging in high-risk activities.
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