Vaccination policy against hepatitis A in Italy.

Abstract

In Italy, improved sanitation and living conditions have led to a decline in the rate of hepatitis A infection among children generating an increasing proportion of adults susceptible to this virus. Shellfish consumption is a major source of infection while person to person transmission is important in the spread of infection and in the maintenance of outbreaks. Thus prevention of secondary HAV infection is a crucial point. A randomised controlled trial of hepatitis A vaccine in household contacts of people with sporadic HAV infection in Italy has shown a protective efficacy of 82% (CI 20-96%). The two secondary infections in the vaccine group were symptomless, suggesting that the disease expression may be weaker in vaccinated subjects.

• Authors: T Stroffolini, A Mele, L Sagliocca
• Journal: Vaccine (Vaccine) Vol. 19 Issue 17-19 Pg. 2404-6 (Mar 21 2001) ISSN: 0264-410X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 11257369 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hepatitis A Vaccines

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Health Policy
• Hepatitis A (epidemiology, prevention & control, transmission)
• Hepatitis A Vaccines (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Italy (epidemiology)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Vaccination