Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Public Health and Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research Building, 3rd Floor, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales 2145, Australia. hgidding@nchecr.unsw.edu.au
We compared the results of two national serosurveys in Australia to evaluate the impact of universal infant vaccination and school-based programs for adolescents. Immunity improved significantly overall, especially in 1-year-olds (40.0% versus 86%; p<0.0001); in adolescents it was significantly higher in regions with established school-based programs (56.6% versus 38.8%; p=0.0008). 6.1% of 1-59-year-olds were positive for HBcAb and 0.7% for HBsAg. We have demonstrated successful implementation of universal infant hepatitis B vaccination in Australia and that school-based programs for adolescents are effective. This experience should be applicable to low prevalence countries in northern Europe which have not implemented universal hepatitis B immunisation.