HEPATITIS-B IMMUNIZATION IN A UNIVERSITY-STUDENT POPULATION

In the United States, hepatitis B virus infection occurs predominantly among adolescents and young adults, despite the availability of an ef fective vaccine. Immunization status and hepatitis B virus (HBV) vacci ne acceptance among 505 students visiting the student health services of a large southern university were investigated. Only 58 students had received HBV vaccine. The cost of the vaccine was paid by the student s personally (35.5%) or by their parents (34.5%) or employers (31.0%). Nearly half of the students (45.7%) did not know their vaccination st atus. Lower immunization percentages were found among Hispanics, men, persons of lower education levels, and students aged 25 years and unde r. Being immunized was related to the perception that the vaccine was affordable, although most students (95.7%) said that the cost of HBV v accine was excessive. Health professionals' emphasis on the need for H BV vaccination and a reduction in the price of the vaccine could impro ve HBV immunization rates among university students.