Hepatitis a and B vaccination--the rate of uptake and course completion in patients with hepatitis C
Fredericks, T.; Kwan, K.; Mak, D.
Australian Family Physician 39(10): 784-786
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8495 PMID: 20890483 Document Number: 639892
Western Australian general practitioners may order Department of Health funded hepatitis A and B vaccines for patients newly notified with hepatitis C to prevent complications associated with co-infections. The aim of this study was to determine vaccination uptake of hepatitis C patients through this program. We reviewed hepatitis C notifications and hepatitis A and B vaccine orders received in 2007 and 2008 to determine the rate of vaccine uptake and course completion. Vaccination orders for initial doses were received for 37% (448/1209) of patients. Vaccination uptake was positively associated with age and non- Aboriginality. Final vaccination doses were ordered for 30% of patients for whom an initial order had been received. Uptake of hepatitis A and B vaccination was higher than that of similar populations. However, vaccination course completion was low. General practitioners need to emphasise to their patients the importance of completing a vaccine course.