Impact of a targeted hepatitis B vaccination program in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Vaccine. 2007 Mar 30;25(14):2698-705. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.06.058. Epub 2006 Jul 12.

Abstract

To evaluate hepatitis B virus (HBV) risk group vaccination in Amsterdam, which started in 1998, we examined 342 reported acute HBV-cases and sequenced 85 DNA isolates. The reported number of cases declined from 214 in 1992-1997 to 128 in 1998-2003, due to a decline in injecting drug users (IDU) and their heterosexual partners. Phylogenetic analyses showed that after 1998, the IDU cluster nearly disappeared, probably due to a decline in injecting. Acute HBV remained stable among men having sex with men; given their increased sexual risk behavior, vaccination has probably prevented an increase in their acute infections. Currently, 48-72% of the people who should be included in the program are still susceptible to HBV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B / etiology
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B virus / classification
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications
  • Vaccination*

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Vaccines