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Vaccine Coverage During a School-based Hepatitis B Immunization Program

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Abstract

Ontario initiated a universal hepatitis B immunization program for grade seven students in the fall of 1994. An ecological study was conducted within seven health units of the Greater Toronto Area to assess vaccine coverage.

The study population consisted of all grade seven students enrolled within schools in the participating health units, on October 1, 1994. There were 39,935 students enrolled in 604 schools eligible for inclusion in the study. Consent to receive the vaccine series was obtained for 88% (range across health units from 81.5% to 96.3%) of the students. Among students for whom consent was obtained, an average of 95% (range 88.1% to 99.5%) completed the series. Therefore, the total vaccine coverage for the study population was 84% (range 77.5% to 89.5%). Series completion varied by school board, education provider and the use of Ministry of Health educational material.

A limiting factor in achieving high vaccination coverage among grade seven students was obtaining consent to receive the vaccine series.

Résumé

À l’automne 1994, l’Ontario a mis en oeuvre un programme d’immunisation universelle contre l’hépatite B à l’intention des élèves de la septième année. Une étude d’environnement a été menée au sein de sept circonscriptions sanitaires de la région métropolitaine de Toronto afin d’évaluer la couverture vaccinale.

La population à l’étude comprenait tous les élèves de la septième ann’ee qui, en date du 1er octobre 1994, étaient inscrits dans les écoles des circonscriptions sanitaires participantes. Il y avait 39 935 étudiants inscrits dans les 604 écoles admissibles. Quatre-vingt-huit pour cent des élèves avaient accepté de recevoir la série vaccinale (le taux oscillait, d’une circonscription sanitaire à l’autre, entre 81,5% et 96,3%). Parmi les étudiants dont on avait obtenu le consentement, 95% en moyenne (intervalle: 88,1% à 99,5%) avaient reçu la série vaccinale complète. Par conséquent, la couverture vaccinale totale dans la population à l’étude s’établissait à 84% (intervalle: 77,5% à 89,5%). La proportion de sujets qui avaient reçu la série vaccinale complète variait selon le conseil scolaire, le responsable du programme de sensibilisation et l’utilisation du matériel de sensibilisation du ministère de la Santé.

Un facteur rendait plus difficile l’atteinte d’une couverte vaccinale élevée chez les élèves de la septième année: l’obtention du consentement à recevoir la série vaccinale.

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Author notes

  1. Shelley L. Deeks MD, MHSc, FRCPC

    Present address: Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Federal Field Epidemiologist, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Resident in Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada

    Shelley L. Deeks MD, MHSc, FRCPC

  2. Associate Medical Officer of Health, North York Public Health Department, 5100 Yonge St., North York, ON, M2N 5V7, Canada

    Ian L. Johnson MD, MSc, FRCPC

Authors
  1. Shelley L. Deeks MD, MHSc, FRCPC
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  2. Ian L. Johnson MD, MSc, FRCPC
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Deeks, S.L., Johnson, I.L. Vaccine Coverage During a School-based Hepatitis B Immunization Program. Can J Public Health 89, 98–101 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404397

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404397

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