[Street vaccination]

Since 1982 drug addicts in the Canton of Zurich have been vaccinated against hepatitis B (HB) free of charge. Up to December 1983, 1480 doses of vaccine were administered to 1270 individuals (an average of 1.2 doses per person). About 700 vaccinations took place directly on the streets of Zurich. The article will discuss the epidemiological data of HB in the drug addict population and also the methodology and difficulties of the Streetwork Vaccination. In addition to immunization, the most important requisite for lowering the incidence of HB would be the possibility for drug addicts to buy injection material themselves.