[Immunization against hepatitis B virus in France]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Multicellular Human Alveolar Model Composed of Epithelial Cells and Primary Immune Cells for Hazard Assessment
Published on: May 6, 2020
1Service de pédiatrie, université Paris-XIII, hôpital Jean-Verdier, AP-H 93140 Bondy. joel.gaudelus@jvr.aphp.fr
Insights
Hepatitis B vaccine coverage in French infants significantly increased to 76% by 2009 following the hexavalent vaccine's reimbursement. Adolescent vaccination rates remain suboptimal at 50% and require improvement.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Vaccinology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Hepatitis B poses a significant public health challenge in France, with 280,000 chronic carriers and 1,300 annual deaths.
- Infant hepatitis B vaccination coverage was historically low (30-40%) before March 2008.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the impact of the hexavalent vaccine reimbursement on hepatitis B vaccine coverage in French infants.
- To highlight the need for increased hepatitis B vaccination coverage in adolescents.
Summary:
- Reimbursement of the hexavalent vaccine in March 2008 led to a substantial increase in infant hepatitis B vaccination, reaching 76% coverage by end-2009.
- Adolescent vaccination rates are approximately 50%, indicating a need for targeted interventions to improve coverage in this age group.
Impact:
- The increased infant vaccination coverage is a positive step towards reducing the burden of hepatitis B in France.
- Improving adolescent hepatitis B vaccination is crucial for long-term disease prevention and achieving herd immunity.
Abstract:
Vaccine coverage against hepatitis B has really increased in French infants since march 2008, date of reimbursement of hexavalent vaccine. At the end of year 2009, 76% of infants have received at least one dosage of hepatitis B vaccine before the age of 6 months. On the contrary until the beginning of year 2008 only 30 to 40% have been vaccinated. Altogether with the reimbursement we have to take into account, knowledge of French epidemiological data, 280000 chronic carrier of hepatitis, whom half of them does not know her state and 1 300 deaths each year, and a change in the opinion by physicians and families. If this result can be considered as good, vaccine coverage of adolescents is not good, about 50% and need to be increased. All non vaccinated adolescent would have the opportunity to be vaccinated. Adolescent can be vaccinated between 11 and 15 years old with a 3 dosages schedule (0, 1, 6 months) or a 2 dosages schedule (0,6 months) with vaccines which contain 20 microgrammes Ag HBs.
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