Effectiveness of Hepatitis B Vaccination Programs

Effectiveness of Hepatitis B Vaccination ProgramsHepatitis B incurs a significant tinct and burden on society worldwide and adversely affects the lives of children, adolescents and their families (Zanetti, vanguard Damme Shouval, 2008, p. 6266 World Health Organization WHO, 2013 National Centre for Immunisation Research Surveillance NCIRS, 2012, p. 2). Extensive immunization programs atomic number 18 recommended to reduce the rates of hepatitis B and its economic constitutes on the population (WHO, 2008 Williams, 2002, p. 458). This essay will analyse hepatitis B immunization as a health intervention strategy and the impact of associated mortality and morbidity on Australian population (NCIRS, 2012, p. 1-2). This will be done by focussing on the needs for hepatitis B immunisation and the goals of immunisation program. This will be followed by analysing the implementation of the hepatitis B vaccination programs together with their say-so on population health for children and families.WHO (2013) defines hepatitis B as an infectious complaint in which the hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes the inflammation of the liver by affecting its function. The morbidity of hepatitis B has a significant impact on infants, children and adolescents (NCIRS, 2012, p. 1-2 Ni, 2011, p.2 Levy, 2012, p. 206). Studies show that hepatitis B can have a negative frame on the liver function which whitethorn lead to chronic liver condition followed by the education of cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer (Zanetti et al., 2008, p.6267 Ni, 2011, p.2 Rots, Wijmenga-Monsuur, Luytjes, Kaaijk, Graaf, Van Der Zeijst Boog, 2010, p. 893). NCIRS (2012) stated that the rate of death related to the hepatitis B was the tenth leading cause of mortality worldwide due to chronic liver infection. Statistics also show that the percentage of hepatitis B disease in Australia is much lower in comparison to the separate countries however, this rate may increase because of the contribution of inf ected immigrants to the country (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6266 NCIRS, 2012, p. 2 Gidding, Warlow, Maclntyre, Backhouse, Gilbert, Quinn Mclntyre, 2007, p. 8640 Levi, 2012, p. 206). The hepatitis B virus has been shown to be spread via blood and blood polluted instruments and this impacted by diametrical factors such as age, gender and the status of immune system (Ni, 2011, p. 1 Rots et al., 2010.p. 894, 897 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6266). It is stated that infants and children may be affected by hepatitis B disease by being exposed to the hepatitis B antigen carrier mother directly via blood particularly at times of birth (NCIRS, 2012, p. 3 Ni, 2011, p. 2 Rots et al., 2010, p. 894 Roznovsky, Pliskova, Orsagova, Kloudova, Tvrdik, Kabieszova, Lochman, Mrazek, Hozakova Zjevikova, 2010, p. 395). Statistics showed that boys were more suggestible to hepatitis B than girls and this was attributed to a correspondingly greater number of the chronic liver infection for males later in thei r life (Ni, 2011, p. 4). Also where the immune system is considered to be compromised by HBV, it may result in more complicated health related issues (Ni, 2011, p. 4). The transmission of HBV may readily spread indirectly via blood contaminated instruments during surgery and needle stick injuries in clinics as wellspring as through contact with infectious person within the family (NCIRS, 2012, p. 3 Ni, 2011, p. 2 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6266).The hepatitis B immunisation programs sanctioned in Australia were aimed at reducing the impact and burden of hepatitis B disease on its population (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8637). It is emphasised that the prevention of the development of hepatitis B disease is considered to be less expensive than its treatment (Levy, 2012, p. 206). Therefore, an implementation of a vaccination program could minimise the financial impact on the families as well as on the country as whole (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6268- 6269 Levy, 2012, p. 206). There have be en two programs introduced in relation of minimising hepatitis B infection namely universal vaccination and school-based program (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8640 Rots et al., 2010, p. 897). The universal hepatitis B vaccination program was targeted at new born babies who are susceptible to infection from mothers who may carry positive antigens (Rots et al., 2010, p. 894 Levy, 2012, p. 206 Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8637). They are considered to be the most vulnerable of all childrens age groups and the majority of them have a greater risk of having health related issues including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer (Ni, 2011, p. 2, 5 Rots et al., 2010, p. 894 Levy, 2012, p. 206). The other program assists in improving adolescents health owing to the fact that approximately two thirds of adolescents may be place as a high risk group due to their unprotected sexual contacts which could result in development of hepatitis B infection (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8638 8640 Rots et al ., 2010, p. 894 Van Herck Van Damme, 2008, p. 861). It is considered that these strategies may protect the health of children and adolescents by controlling the spread of hepatitis B from person to the person (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6268 Ni, 2011, p. 5- 6).It has been highlighted that a number of scheduled hepatitis B vaccinations are involve to be administered to children (NCIRS, 2012, p. 4- 5 Rots et al., 2010, p. 894 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267). It is a requirement that the first hepatitis B vaccination is essential to be provided to infants immediately within twenty four hours after their birth followed by a further three sexually transmitted diseases that are given every couple months till six months of their age (Rots et al., 2008, p. 894 WHO, 2013 NCIRS, 2012, p.1, 4). This schedule of vaccinations has dramatically decreased the sensitiveness for hepatitis B infection from their mother (Rots et al., 2008, p. 894 NCIRS, 2012, p.1, 4). However, with regards to adolesce nts aged between 11 and 15, the vaccination against hepatitis B is scheduled in two doses with an interval of six months between them (NCIRS, 2012, p. 5 Rots et al., 2010, p. 894). In cases where a childs immune system is severely compromised by serious health diseases such as obesity or HIV, it is recommended that the administered dose of hepatitis B vaccine should be doubled (NCIRS, 2012, p. 4- 5 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267). To achieve maximum benefit from the vaccination the injections are to be administered in the thigh for the children up to 12 months of age, while those older than that age are required to be administered in deltoid muscle (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267). As the hepatitis B immunisation is usually not contraindicated with the other vaccinations it could be given to children together with the other scheduled vaccinations including diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (Rots et al., 2010, p. 894). Nevertheless, observation of the children is required due to the po ssible development of adverse negative reactions of the vaccines (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267).The effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination programs is crucial in order to reduce the morbidity of hepatitis B disease together with related liver complications (Rots et al., 2010, p. 897). By measuring the effect of immunisation, it can be determined whether benefits are being achieved or other strategies need to be considered (Ni, 2011, p. 5). The WHO analysis of hepatitis B disease shows that the implementation of hepatitis B immunisation does have a positive effect on the future health of children and adolescents (WHO, 2013). Studies have been conducted to examine the effectivity of implemented vaccination programs along with their financial cost (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8640 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6268). It was found that the universal vaccination was highly effective when administering it to children from birth (Roznovsky et al., 2010, p. 398).However, after 10-15 years it off ered little protection to the immunised children (Rots et al., 2010, p. 898 Roznovsky et al., 2010, p. 396, 398 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267). Studies showed that the antibodies produced in response to the hepatitis B immunisation are diminished as the adolescents age and this may lead to the development of chronic liver infection (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267). In this case the school-based programs are necessary in terms of administering additional doses of hepatitis B vaccination that may assist in protecting childs health in the long-term, but may be costly for society (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8640 Rots et al., 2010, p. 898). Additionally, a financial burden may also be associated with the failure of detecting HBV either in mothers or their babies due to meager screening (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8637). Unfortunately, hepatitis immunisation programs which have shown to be very effective for many decades are now in danger of being removed from government docket (Van Herck V an Damme, 2008, p. 861).In summation, the hepatitis B vaccination programs have been very effective as reducing the incidence of disease in society. The corresponding reduction in the burden and impact on families together with reduced costs has been very beneficial. However, because of the success of the vaccination programs they no longer hold the same governmental priorities and may be reduced over time.