Abstract
In Italy, a vaccination campaign against hepatitis B was launched in 1985. It was stronglyrecommended for health care workers. Over the period 1986–1991 the incidence rate of acute B hepatitis in the general population declined from 12/100,000 in 1986 to 5/100,000 in 1991. The corresponding figures among hospital workers were 42.5/100,000 (RR 3.5; 95% CI 2.55–4.92) in 1986 and 14.5/100,000 (RR 2.9; 95% CI 2.03–4.14) in 1991, respectively. The proportion of HBV cases with jaundice was about the same in the general population (77.6%) and in the health care staff (74.2%). Nearly 6% of hospital workers cases had completed the schedule of HBV vaccine. Despite the fact that vaccination against HBV has been strongly recommended for hospital workers, the incidence of infection in this job category has continued to be higher than that in the general population, probably as a consequence of poor vaccine coverage. These findings reiterate the need for aggressive vaccination programmes in hospital workers.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
