Improving birth dose coverage of hepatitis B vaccine
Author
Hipgrave, DB; Maynard, JE; Biggs, BADate
2006-01-01Source Title
BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONPublisher
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONAffiliation
Medicine - Royal Melbourne And Western HospitalsNossal Institute for Global Health
Metadata
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Journal ArticleCitations
Hipgrave, D. B., Maynard, J. E. & Biggs, B. A. (2006). Improving birth dose coverage of hepatitis B vaccine. BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, 84 (1), pp.65-71. https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.04.017426.Access Status
Access this item via the Open Access locationOpen Access at PMC
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2626514Description
C5 - Other Refereed Contribution to Refereed Journals
Abstract
Administration of a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB vaccine) to neonates is recommended to prevent mother-to-infant transmission and chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Although manufacturers recommend HepB vaccine distribution and storage at 2-8 degrees C, recognition of the heat stability of hepatitis B surface antigen stimulated research into its use after storage at, or exposure to, ambient or high temperatures. Storage of HepB vaccine at ambient temperatures would enable birth dosing for neonates delivered at home in remote areas or at health posts lacking refrigeration. This article reviews the current evidence on the thermostability of HepB vaccine when stored outside the cold chain (OCC). The reports reviewed show that the vaccines studied were safe and effective whether stored cold or OCC. Field and laboratory data also verifies the retained potency of the vaccine after exposure to heat. The attachment of a highly stable variety of a vaccine vial monitor (measuring cumulative exposure to heat) on many HepB vaccines strongly supports policies allowing their storage OCC, when this will benefit birth dose coverage. We recommend that this strategy be introduced to improve birth dose coverage, especially in rural and remote areas. Concurrent monitoring and evaluation should be undertaken to affirm the safe implementation of this strategy, and assess its cost, feasibility and effect on reducing HBV infection rates. Meanwhile, release of manufacturer data verifying the potency of currently available HepB vaccines after exposure to heat will increase confidence in the use of vaccine vial monitors as a managerial tool during storage of HepB vaccine OCC.
Keywords
Medical Bacteriology ; Infectious Diseases; Infectious Diseases; Child Health; Health Related to Specific Ethnic Groups; Preventive MedicineExport Reference in RIS Format
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