Hepatitis B immunization programme: lessons learnt in Greece

Historically, Greece has had the highest burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the European Union (EU). Heterosexual contact is the primary means of HBV transmission in Greece, accounting for approximately 30% of acute cases in adult males and 50% of acute cases in women of reproductive age [Kattamis C, Papevangelou G. Workshop Group: Greece. Vaccine 1995;13:S97-S98.]. In 1982, Greece implemented a hepatitis B prevention programme aimed at high-risk groups; unfortunately, this approach had little impact on disease incidence or prevalence. At the recommendation of the WHO and the World Health Assembly and after sustained lobbying by several scientific and medical associations in Greece, the Greek government decided to implement a national prevention programme for hepatitis B. The programme, in effect from early 1998, includes the screening of pregnant women, universal infant and adolescent immunization and immunization of high-risk groups.