SITUATION OF THE HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION IN FRANCE IN 1996

A national campain aimed at promoting immunization against hepatitis B was launched in 1994. Two years later a survey was designed to estima te the situation of the hepatitis B vaccination in France. Around nine ty per cent of physicians were hepatitis B vaccinated. The rate of vac cinated population among public hospitals personnel were more than 90 % and lower in private hospitals (79 %). A quarter of the general popu lation was vaccinated and the higher rate (69 %) was observed in the 1 3-20 years young people. Progressively the contribution of the physici ans to the vaccination was increasing (89 % in 1996). After a selectiv e vaccination of risk groups and the instauration of the prevention of motherinfant transmission, the French programme was extended to cover adolescents and children. The success of the hepatitis B vaccination campain was obtained by the promotion message toward population and ph ysicians.