MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1.Hepatitis Awareness Month —May 2010

CDC National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
News Media Line
(404) 639-8895

No summary available

2. Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination — California, 2007–2009

CDC National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
News Media Line
(404) 639-8895

CDC initiative helps vaccinate many adults at increased risk of hepatitis B infection. Most new cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection occur among at-risk adults age 25-44. Through the CDC initiative, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) vaccinated more than 28,000 adults, many of whom would not have been vaccinated against HBV otherwise. The initiative provided additional federal resources for states to purchase hepatitis B vaccine and establish or expand hepatitis B vaccination in local public health programs and community organizations that served at-risk adults. The report notes that increasing capacity to vaccinate adults would help the nation achieve the goal of eliminating HBV transmission.  Although hepatitis B is vaccine-preventable, every year nearly 4,000 people in the United States die from hepatitis B-related liver disease.  Vaccination is recommended for all children, as well as at-risk adults; however cost often impedes vaccination efforts for adults. In 2007-2008, the CDC initiative provided resources to 51 state and local health departments to administer 275,445 doses of hepB vaccine in 1,065 clinical sites. However, most states still lack the capacity to vaccinate all adults at risk for HBV infection.

3. Hepatocellular Carcinoma — United States, 2001–2006

CDC National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
News Media Line
(404) 639-8895

New CDC data show the rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer, are increasing. Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections account for an estimated 78 percent of HCC worldwide, and many of the estimated 3.8-5.3 million persons living with chronic viral hepatitis in the United States are unaware of their infection. This study shows the incidence rate of HCC increased significantly from 2.7 per 100,000 persons in 2001 to 3.2 in 2006, with an average annual percentage change of 3.5.  Findings also show changing age, geographic, and racial/ethnic patterns of the disease, with rates highest among Asian Pacific Islanders, followed by blacks. This upward HCC trend underscores the need for more awareness about prevention and treatment. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections, and subsequently HCC, can be prevented through hepatitis B vaccination and hepatitis screening linked to consistent healthcare and follow-up. Authors also note that public health prevention measures guided by strengthened viral hepatitis surveillance systems are needed to reverse the increasing trend in HCC.

4. Rotavirus Vaccination Coverage Among Infants Aged 5 Months — Immunization Information System Sentinel Sites, United States, June 2006–June 2009

CDC
Division of News and Electronic Media
404) 639-3286

Rotavirus, the most common cause of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis in infants and children worldwide, is most effectively prevented by vaccination.  Rotavirus vaccine is a safe and effective means of reducing the burden of rotavirus disease.  In the U.S., routine rotavirus vaccination of infants began in February, 2006.  Since then, significant reductions in the incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis have been documented.  The ultimate success of the national rotavirus vaccination program depends on high vaccination coverage of eligible infants.  Among infants aged 5 months enrolled at eight Immunization Information System sentinel sites in the U.S., coverage with ≥1 dose of rotavirus vaccine steadily increased after vaccine introduction and averaged 72 percent by June 2009; however, coverage remained 10-13 percent lower than for other infant vaccines.  While the trend in rotavirus vaccine uptake is encouraging, continued efforts are needed to achieve more complete rotavirus vaccination of U.S. infants in order to realize the greatest benefit of the national rotavirus vaccination program.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES