Hepatitis B vaccination of adolescent and adult high-risk groups in the United States

Substantial progress has been made in implementing routine infant hepatitis B vaccination in the United States. However, in 1996, an estimated 65 000 acute hepatitis B cases occurred, the majority of which were among young ad ults in high-risk groups. Recent surveys have found very low vaccination co verage among several high-risk groups, including men who have sex with men and patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Targeted vaccinatio n of persons with risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can be provided in a variety of settings including family planning clinics, STD c linics, drug treatment centres, detention centres, jails and prisons. Howev er, vaccination programmes have been infrequently implemented in these sett ings and the majority of persons with acute hepatitis B cases have had a mi ssed opportunity for vaccination in the past. Thus. in order to accelerate elimination of HBV transmission in the United States, increased efforts are needed to implement effective hepatitis B vaccination programmes targeted to adolescents and adults in high-risk groups. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.