Hepatitis B immunization of Asian Pacific Islanders in the United States

BACKGROUND: There are numerous strategies recommended in the United States for control of the hepatitis B virus, including universal vaccination of infants and adolescents and vaccination of all high risk populations. A recent hepatitis B vaccination program conducted in Philadelphia, PA, focused on effective ways to educate and vaccinate the high risk Asian Pacific Islander population. METHODS: Multiple intervention activities were used for both health care providers and Asian Pacific Islander community members, including one-to-one educational programs. RESULTS: Intervention activities did increase hepatitis B vaccination coverage to 34%, but coverage increase was less than has been shown with other programs. CONCLUSION: The intervention program, however, may have a long-lasting positive impact on vaccination coverage because postintervention, study participant health care providers began to offer a more flexible vaccination delivery system. It is likely that the total cost of $135943 for all intervention activities will prevent future costly cases of chronic hepatitis B and its serious related sequelae among this high risk population.