IMPLEMENTING UNIVERSAL VACCINATION PROGRAMS - SPAIN

Until 1990, the immunization policy against hepatitis B in Spain was s elective high-risk vaccination. That policy failed to reduce the incid ence of hepatitis B and the prevalence rates of chronic carriers. In 1 991, Catalonia began a universal immunization programme targeted at 12 -year-olds. Six other regions (Castilla-Leon, Valencia, Extramadura, N avarra, the Balearic Islands and Rioja) introduced vaccination program mes in 1992. In 1993, three more regions (Galicia, Castilla-La-Mancha and Pais Vasco) began immunizing young adolescents. This means that 12 -year-olds in Spain are now included irt vaccination programmes agains t hepatitis B.