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Compliance with vaccination against hepatitis A virus in Germany: A retrospective analysis
Insights
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccination compliance was low in Germany, with only 61.1% of patients completing the two-dose schedule. Pediatric practices and younger patients showed better adherence to the HAV vaccine regimen.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a significant public health concern.
- Complete vaccination is crucial for effective protection against HAV.
- Understanding vaccination compliance is essential for disease prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the compliance rates for the complete two-dose vaccination against HAV.
- To identify factors influencing vaccination compliance in Germany.
- To compare compliance between general and pediatric practices.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 7,323 patients from general practices and 3,962 from pediatric practices in Germany.
- Inclusion criteria: first dose of Havrix® or Vaqta® between 2011-2014.
- Compliance defined as receiving the second dose within a ±25% tolerance period of the recommended interval.
Main Results:
- Overall compliance with the second HAV vaccine dose was 61.1%.
- Patients in pediatric practices showed higher compliance (OR=1.19) than those in general practices.
- Compliance was higher in patients under 18 (OR=1.53) and lower in those aged 18-30 (OR=0.85).
Conclusions:
- Complete vaccination against HAV in Germany demonstrated low compliance rates.
- Pediatric care settings and younger age groups are associated with better HAV vaccination adherence.
- Interventions may be needed to improve HAV vaccine completion rates, particularly in general practices and among young adults.
Objectives:
To analyze compliance with vaccination against hepatitis A virus (HAV) in patients followed in general and pediatric practices in Germany.
Materials And Methods:
The present study included 7,323 patients from 575 general practices and 3,962 patients from 111 pediatric practices. Patients were included if they had received the first dose of one of the two following vaccines against HAV: Havrix® or Vaqta®, between 2011 and 2014. The immunization schedule of these vaccines consisted of two injections. Patients were considered compliant if they received the second dose at the recommended time or within a period of ± 25% around the recommended time (tolerance period).
Results:
Of the recruited patients, 61.1% received the second vaccine injection within the tolerance period. Individuals treated in pediatric practices had a higher likelihood of receiving the vaccine dose within the tolerance period compared to individuals treated in general practices (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.06 - 1.35; p = 0.005). Furthermore, patients under the age of 18 years were more likely to be compliant than patients over the age of 30 years (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.40 - 1.68; p < 0.001), while patients between 18 and 30 years (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.77 - 0.93; p < 0.001) were the least likely to be compliant.
Conclusion:
Compliance with complete vaccination against HAV was low. .
