Elimination of new chronic hepatitis B virus infections: Results of the Alaska immunization program

An immunization assessment and a serologic survey were conducted to evaluat e the effectiveness of a hepatitis B immunization program in eliminating he patitis B virus (HBV) transmission among Alaska Natives in a region in whic h HBV infection is endemic. Hepatitis B vaccine coverage was 93% among 567 children less than or equal to 10 years old residing in the study villages, and catch-up vaccine coverage among 582 susceptible persons 11-30 years ol d was 62%, None of 271 tested children less than or equal to 10 years old w ere chronically infected with HBV, and just 4 (1.5%) had evidence of resolv ed infection. In contrast, 16% of 332 persons 11-30 years old (those born b efore implementation of routine infant hepatitis B vaccination) were chroni cally infected. A hepatitis B immunization program that includes prevention of perinatal HBV infection, routine infant vaccination, and catch-up vacci nation of older children and adults can eliminate new chronic HBV infection s in a population with a high rate of chronic infection.