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Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in children 12 years after China’s expanded program on immunization in Qamdo, Tibet

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Abstract

Although hepatitis B vaccine (HepB1) was first recommended through China’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1992, Tibet was able to offer universal HepB1 vaccination starting only in early 2004. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess, 12 years after administration of HepB1, the seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children in Qamdo, Tibet. Focusing on a population of individuals ≤ 15 years of age living in Tibet, we analyzed serum samples from 261 healthy children for HBV status based on the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies against HBV core antigen (anti-HBc), and antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs). Of all participants, 87.4% had received HepB1 vaccination. The overall anti-HBs-positive rate was 30.7%, with isolated anti-HBs in 75 participants (28.7%). Of all those studied, 13 (5.0%) were positive for HBsAg and 18 (6.9%) for anti-HBc. Participants who received vaccination in hospital at delivery had a lower prevalence of HBsAg than that of those born at home. By reducing HBV transmission, the EPI in Tibet protected most Tibetans younger than 15 years from becoming HBV carriers.

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Abbreviations

HepB1 :

Hepatitis B vaccine

HBV:

Hepatitis B virus

EPI:

China’s expanded program on immunization

HBsAg:

Hepatitis B surface antigen

anti-HBs:

Antibodies against HBsAg

HBeAg:

Hepatitis B e antigen

anti-HBe:

Antibodies against HBeAg

anti-HBc:

Antibodies against HBV core antigen

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China

    Yao Hu

  2. Department of Laboratory Medicine, People’s Hospital of Luolong County, Qamdo, 855400, Tibet, China

    Ciyang,  Dunzhuyongzong &  Awangluosong

  3. Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Loulong County, Qamdo, 855400, Tibet, China

    Zuoqing Yang

  4. Health Bureau of Luolong County, Qamdo, 855400, Tibet, China

    Aqing

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  1. Yao Hu
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  2. Ciyang
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  3. Dunzhuyongzong
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  4. Awangluosong
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  5. Zuoqing Yang
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Correspondence to Yao Hu.

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Hu, Y., Ciyang, Dunzhuyongzong et al. Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in children 12 years after China’s expanded program on immunization in Qamdo, Tibet. J Public Health Pol 39, 446–453 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-018-0142-z

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