Hepatitis B vaccination coverage among U.S. adolescents, National Immunization Survey-Teen, 2006

To determine national estimates of hepatitis B vaccination among adolescents in the United States and factors associated with vaccination using provider-reported immunization histories.

Data were analyzed from the 2006 National Immunization Survey-Teen, a random-digit-dialed telephone survey sampling households with adolescents aged 13-17 years. Provider-reported immunization histories were obtained to determine hepatitis B vaccination coverage.

The household response rate was 56.2% (n = 5468); provider data was obtained from 52.7% (n = 2882). Overall up-to-date hepatitis B vaccination coverage was 81.3%; older adolescents aged 15-17 years old had lower coverage than younger adolescents aged 13-14 years old, (77.6% vs. 87.1%, p < .05). More than half of the 13-14-year-olds had received vaccination before age 3 years, while 15-17-year-olds received vaccination throughout childhood. Factors associated with vaccination coverage among adolescents 13-14 years old included private health insurance coverage and having a parent-reported health care visit at age of 11-12 years. Factors associated with vaccination coverage among adolescents 15-17 years old included living in the Northeast, having a mother who was married, and having a parent-reported health care visit at 11-12 years.

In 2006, adolescents 15-17 years old had lower hepatitis B vaccination coverage compared to those 13-14 years old. Younger adolescents likely benefited from universal recommendations in 1991 and received hepatitis B vaccination during early childhood. A healthcare visit at age 11-12 years has been recommended by professional organizations and was associated with hepatitis B vaccination in our survey. Parents and providers should routinely review adolescent immunizations.