[Evaluation on the hepatitis A vaccine in preventing hepatitis A infection in Tianjin, from 2000 to 2011].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis A immunization strategies were carried out in 2001 in Tianjin. We wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies related to hepatitis A control programs and to provide the basis for further modification of the strategies. METHODS: Descriptive epidemiology study was used to analyze the hepatitis A epidemic situation in 2000-2011 in Tianjin and to evaluate the disease reporting system. Hepatitis A vaccine coverage of target population and serum epidemiological study were carried out in 1999, 2005 and 2010 to check on the hepatitis A antibody levels so as to evaluate the immuno-barrier condition in the normal population. Cox-Stuart test was used to analyze the epidemic trend of hepatitis A and other intestinal infectious diseases in Tianjin. RESULTS: The incidence rate of hepatitis A decreased from 2.89/100 000 in 2000 to 0.12/100 000 in 2011, and the percentage of hepatitis A in all types of viral hepatitis decreased from 8.02% in 2000 to 0.48% in 2011 in Tianjin. The positive rates of hepatitis A antibody also increased in the residents. CONCLUSION: The hepatitis A vaccination program was successful in the programs on prevention and control of hepatitis A in Tianjin, China.