Effectiveness of Hepatitis B Vaccination Programs

Effectiveness of Hepatitis B Vaccination ProgramsHepatitis B incurs a probative impact and burden on society worldwide and adversely affects the lives of tykeren, adolescents and their families (Zanetti, train Damme Shouval, 2008, p. 6266 World Health Organization WHO, 2013 National Centre for Immunisation search Surveillance NCIRS, 2012, p. 2). Extensive immunisation courses are recommended to reduce the rates of hepatitis B and its economic costs on the population (WHO, 2008 Williams, 2002, p. 458). This essay provide try hepatitis B immunisation as a health intervention agreement and the impact of associated mortality and morbidity on Australian population (NCIRS, 2012, p. 1-2). This will be done by focussing on the needs for hepatitis B immunisation and the goals of immunisation program. This will be followed by analysing the capital punishment of the hepatitis B inoculation programs together with their authorization on population health for children and families .WHO (2013) defines hepatitis B as an infectious disease in which the hepatitis B computer virus (HBV) causes the ignition system of the coloured by affecting its function. The morbidity of hepatitis B has a meaningful impact on infants, children and adolescents (NCIRS, 2012, p. 1-2 Ni, 2011, p.2 Levy, 2012, p. 206). Studies show that hepatitis B can have a negative effect on the liver function which whitethorn leave alone to inveterate liver condition followed by the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer (Zanetti et al., 2008, p.6267 Ni, 2011, p.2 Rots, Wijmenga-Monsuur, Luytjes, Kaaijk, Graaf, Van Der Zeijst Boog, 2010, p. 893). NCIRS (2012) stated that the rate of death related to the hepatitis B was the tenth leading cause of mortality worldwide due to chronic liver transmittance. Statistics also show that the percentage of hepatitis B disease in Australia is much lower in comparison to the other countries however, this rate whitethorn increase because of the contribu tion of infected immigrants to the country (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6266 NCIRS, 2012, p. 2 Gidding, Warlow, Maclntyre, Backhouse, Gilbert, Quinn Mclntyre, 2007, p. 8640 Levi, 2012, p. 206). The hepatitis B virus has been shown to be spread via blood and blood contaminated instruments and this impacted by different concomitantors much(prenominal) as age, gender and the status of immune system (Ni, 2011, p. 1 Rots et al., 2010.p. 894, 897 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6266). It is stated that infants and children may be affected by hepatitis B disease by being exposed to the hepatitis B antigen carrier have directly via blood particularly at times of birth (NCIRS, 2012, p. 3 Ni, 2011, p. 2 Rots et al., 2010, p. 894 Roznovsky, Pliskova, Orsagova, Kloudova, Tvrdik, Kabieszova, Lochman, Mrazek, Hozakova Zjevikova, 2010, p. 395). Statistics showed that boys were more susceptible to hepatitis B than girls and this was attributed to a interchangeablely greater number of the chronic liver infection for males later in their deportment (Ni, 2011, p. 4). Also where the immune system is considered to be compromised by HBV, it may moment in more complicated health related issues (Ni, 2011, p. 4). The transmission of HBV may readily spread indirectly via blood contaminated instruments during surgery and prick stick injuries in clinics as well as through tangency with infectious individual within the family (NCIRS, 2012, p. 3 Ni, 2011, p. 2 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6266).The hepatitis B immunisation programs sanctioned in Australia were aimed at reducing the impact and burden of hepatitis B disease on its population (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8637). It is emphasised that the prevention of the development of hepatitis B disease is considered to be less expensive than its treatment (Levy, 2012, p. 206). therefore, an implementation of a vaccination program could minimise the financial impact on the families as well as on the country as whole (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 62 68- 6269 Levy, 2012, p. 206). There have been two programs introduced in relation of minimising hepatitis B infection to wit universal vaccination and school-based program (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8640 Rots et al., 2010, p. 897). The universal hepatitis B vaccination program was targeted at new born babies who are susceptible to infection from mothers who may carry positive antigens (Rots et al., 2010, p. 894 Levy, 2012, p. 206 Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8637). They are considered to be the most vulnerable of all told childrens age groups and the majority of them have a greater risk of infection of having health related issues including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer (Ni, 2011, p. 2, 5 Rots et al., 2010, p. 894 Levy, 2012, p. 206). The other program assists in improving adolescents health owing to the fact that approximately two thirds of adolescents may be identified as a high risk group due to their unprotected sexual contacts which could conduce in development o f hepatitis B infection (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8638 8640 Rots et al., 2010, p. 894 Van Herck Van Damme, 2008, p. 861). It is considered that these strategies may protect the health of children and adolescents by controlling the spread of hepatitis B from person to the person (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6268 Ni, 2011, p. 5- 6).It has been highlighted that a number of scheduled hepatitis B vaccinations are requisite to be administered to children (NCIRS, 2012, p. 4- 5 Rots et al., 2010, p. 894 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267). It is a requirement that the first hepatitis B vaccination is essential to be provided to infants immediately within twenty four hours by and by their birth followed by a further three doses that are given up e very(prenominal) couple months till six months of their age (Rots et al., 2008, p. 894 WHO, 2013 NCIRS, 2012, p.1, 4). This schedule of vaccinations has dramatically decreased the predisposition for hepatitis B infection from their mother (Rots et al., 2008, p. 894 NCIRS, 2012, p.1, 4). However, with regards to adolescents aged among 11 and 15, the vaccination against hepatitis B is scheduled in two doses with an interval of six months between them (NCIRS, 2012, p. 5 Rots et al., 2010, p. 894). In cases where a childs immune system is severely compromised by serious health diseases such as obesity or HIV, it is recommended that the administered dose of hepatitis B vaccine should be doubled (NCIRS, 2012, p. 4- 5 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267). To achieve maximum benefit from the vaccination the injections are to be administered in the thigh for the children up to 12 months of age, while those elderly than that age are required to be administered in deltoid vim (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267). As the hepatitis B immunisation is usually not contraindicated with the other vaccinations it could be given to children together with the other scheduled vaccinations including diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (Rots et al., 2010, p. 894 ). Nevertheless, remark of the children is required due to the possible development of adverse negative reactions of the vaccines (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267).The effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination programs is crucial in order to reduce the morbidity of hepatitis B disease together with related liver complications (Rots et al., 2010, p. 897). By measuring the effect of immunisation, it can be determined whether benefits are being achieved or other strategies need to be considered (Ni, 2011, p. 5). The WHO analysis of hepatitis B disease shows that the implementation of hepatitis B immunisation does have a positive effect on the future health of children and adolescents (WHO, 2013). Studies have been conducted to examine the effectivity of implemented vaccination programs along with their financial cost (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8640 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6268). It was found that the universal vaccination was extremely effective when administering it to children from b irth (Roznovsky et al., 2010, p. 398).However, after 10-15 years it offered little protection to the immunize children (Rots et al., 2010, p. 898 Roznovsky et al., 2010, p. 396, 398 Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267). Studies showed that the antibodies produced in response to the hepatitis B immunisation are diminished as the adolescents age and this may lead to the development of chronic liver infection (Zanetti et al., 2008, p. 6267). In this case the school-based programs are necessary in terms of administering supererogatory doses of hepatitis B vaccination that may assist in protecting childs health in the long-term, but may be dearly-won for society (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8640 Rots et al., 2010, p. 898). Additionally, a financial burden may also be associated with the failure of detecting HBV either in mothers or their babies due to scant(predicate) screening (Gidding et al., 2007, p. 8637). Unfortunately, hepatitis immunisation programs which have shown to be very effectiv e for more decades are now in danger of being removed from giving medication agenda (Van Herck Van Damme, 2008, p. 861).In summation, the hepatitis B vaccination programs have been very effective as reducing the incidence of disease in society. The corresponding reduction in the burden and impact on families together with decrease costs has been very beneficial. However, because of the success of the vaccination programs they no longer view as the same governmental priorities and may be reduced over time.