Audit of hepatitis B immunization at the genitourinary medicine department in Middlesbrough, UK

Abstract

The outcomes of hepatitis B immunization programme at the genitourinary medicine (GUM) department in Middlesbrough during a period of five years were examined. The majority of those immunized were male homosexuals who had earlier requested an HIV test. All participants had preimmunization hepatitis B serology, and were negative. The default rate was high at 20/42 (47.6%). However, among those who completed all the processes, seroconversion rate was high at 21/22 (95.5%). The only non-responder was a man who was HIV-positive. The type of vaccine and immunization regimen are discussed.

Schedules for hepatitis B vaccination of risk groups: balancing immunogenicity and compliance

“…Unfortunately, few of these studies report immunogenicity data; this is mainly due to the difficulties to administer three vaccine doses, and thus the low proportion that can actually be tested afterwards. [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] A recent paper that did report immunogenicity data studied a shortened standard schedule (0.1.4 months) as an alternative option, in a setting (sex workers) where other strategies are used to improve the compliance. Even if the 0.1.4 months schedule failed to significantly improve the compliance, it offered equal protection within a shorter interval.…”

Auditing delivery of first dose of hepatitis B immunization to at risk groups may be more important than subsequent doses

“…Sir: I read with great interest the case report on gonorrhoea presenting with painful spontaneous erections 1 and would like to report a similar case that has occurred since then in the same department.…”

“…In view of this, we suggest that the most important auditable measure of vaccine delivery within GUM services is delivery of the ® rst, rather than subsequent doses. 1 . HIV testing should be done with patient's informed consent 2 .…”