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Published on: December 15, 2023

Epidemiological impact of mandatory vaccination against hepatitis B in Italian young adults

Marcello Campagna1, Andrea Siddu, Angelo Meloni

  • 1Department of Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.

Hepatitis Monthly
|January 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in Italy demonstrates long-term immunity for individuals vaccinated at birth or as adolescents. The national vaccination strategy effectively reduced HBV prevalence.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global cause of acute and chronic liver disease.
  • Italy implemented a mandatory HBV vaccination policy in 1991 for newborns and 12-year-olds, later discontinuing adolescent vaccination in 2004 while maintaining infant vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the seroprevalence of HBV markers in vaccinated individuals.
  • To assess the long-term effectiveness of Italy's national HBV vaccination policy.

Main Methods:

  • Serological assessment of HBV markers in 806 individuals vaccinated at birth or at 12 years of age.
  • Analysis of anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and HBsAg prevalence to determine vaccination effectiveness and immunity.

Main Results:

  • High overall prevalence of anti-HBs antibodies (90.32%), indicating sustained immunity.
  • Low prevalence of active HBV infection (1.61% HBsAg positive).
  • A small percentage showed mixed immunity markers (2.23% anti-HBs and anti-HBc positive) or were negative for all tested markers (5.83%).

Conclusions:

  • HBV vaccination confers long-term immunity when administered at birth or to healthy adolescents.
  • The national vaccination strategy in Italy has proven effective in controlling HBV infection.
Abstract

Keywords:
Effectiveness evaluationHepatitis BLong-term immunityVaccination

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