Context In July 1999, due to concerns about thimerosal content, the America
n Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Public Health Service (PHS) recommend
ed suspending hepatitis B virus (HBV) Vaccination at birth except for mothe
rs who had positive or unknown hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status.
In September 1999, the Centers for : Disease Control and Prevention recomme
nded that hospitals resume HBV vaccination at birth with a new thimerosal-f
ree vaccine. Whether the 2 changes in recommendations within 3 months led t
o less-than-optimal compliance in hospital nurseries is unknown.
Objective To determine hospital HBV vaccination policy before the recommend
ation for delay of HBV Vaccination and 1 year later,
Design, Setting, and Participants Survey of aff 46 hospitals with obstetric
services and neonatal nurseries in Cook County. Illinois.
Main Outcome Measures Hepatitis B virus immunization practices before July
1999 and in August 2000; hospital factors associated with routine HBV immun
ization and compliance with AAP and PHS recommendations.
Results Before July 1999, 74% of surveyed hospital nurseries offered HBV va
ccine to all neonates; only 39% did so in August 2000. Being located in the
Chicago city-limits (88 % vs 57%, P = .02) and having an academic affiliat
ion (93% vs 66%; P = .05) were positively associated with routine neonatal
immunization before July 1999. Both academic affiliation and city location
were associated with routine immunization in August: 2000 (71% vs 25% [P =
.003] and 60% vs 14% [P = .002], respectively) and with:compliance with rec
ommendations for suspension (57% vs 25% [P = .03] and 56% vs 10% [P = .001]
).
Conclusions We documented a 35% decrease in hospital nurseries that routine
ly offered HBV immunization 1 year after the AAP and PHS recommendations we
re made. Special efforts may be required to make at-birth administration of
HBV vaccination universal.