FW: CDC RECOMMENDS HEP A VACCINE FOR 17 ENDEMIC STATES

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CDC Updates Morbidity and Mortality Report to Encourage Hepatitis A

Vaccination for Children in High-Endemic States HFI Applauds CDC`s

Efforts to Stem Spread of Hepatitis A

October 20, 1999

CEDAR GROVE, N.J., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ via NewsEdge Corporation -- To

further

encourage implementation of routine hepatitis A vaccination programs for

children

in 17 high endemic states, the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) have

incorporated the recommendations of its Advisory Committee on

Immunization Practices (ACIP) into the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly

Report (MMWR) entitled, " Prevention of Hepatitis A Through Active or

Passive Immunization. " The recommendations are in response to the

continuing high rates of hepatitis A in the United States and the

frequency of community-wide outbreaks.

Together, these high incidence states contain only 22 percent of the

United States

population but account for 50 percent of reported hepatitis A cases.

Hepatitis A is a

significant drain on the United States economy, costing more than $450

million

annually. Experts consider routine vaccination programs for children a

cost-effective way to reduce the spread of the disease and, in turn,

decrease an unnecessary economic burden.

" It is important for parents to realize that vaccinating their children

against hepatitis A is a critical first step to reducing the threat of

hepatitis A in this country, " said Thelma King Thiel, chairman and CEO

of Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI). " We are pleased that the

CDC has made protecting children and their families a high priority. "

MMWR Makes Recommendation for Routine Pediatric Vaccination Official

This MMWR addresses ACIP's recommendations for states where the average

annual hepatitis A rate during 1987 to 1997 was at least twice the

national average hepatitis A incidence rate -- or 20 cases per every

100,000 people -- to implement routine hepatitis A vaccination programs

for children. Eleven states fall under this category: Arizona, Alaska,

California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota,

Utah and

Washington. ACIP also recommended routine hepatitis A vaccination in

counties or

communities in any state where the average hepatitis A rate during 1987

to 1997 was at

least 20 per 100,000.

In addition, ACIP stated that routine hepatitis A vaccination for

children should be

considered in states where the average annual hepatitis rate during 1987

to 1997

was at least 10 per 100,000 people (i.e., approximately the national

average) but less

than 20 out of 100,000. These states include: Missouri, Texas, Colorado,

Arkansas,

Montana and Wyoming. In addition, counties or communities in any state

with hepatitis A

rates between 10 per 100,000 and 20 out of 100,000 should also consider

routine

vaccination.

" To achieve a sustained reduction in hepatitis A incidence nationwide, a

shift is

needed from the present strategy of targeting at-risk groups for

vaccination to

one that achieves widespread routine immunization of children, " said

Schaffner, M.D., member of the CDC's ACIP working group and professor

and chairman of

the department of preventive medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical

Center in

Nashville, TN. " This shift will allow us to interrupt the transmission

of the hepatitis A virus to protect both the children who as vaccinated

as well as the adults to whom

they would have spread the infection. "

Hepatitis A Vaccination Initiatives Underway in OK, TX, AZ, NV and AK

Because of the large number of hepatitis A cases in Oklahoma, Texas and

Arizona, these

three states have already taken steps to stem the spread of the disease

through pediatric vaccination. Last year, Oklahoma issued a state law

requiring hepatitis A

vaccination for children entering licensed daycare, kindergarten, first

and seventh

grade. In addition, hepatitis A vaccination is a school-entry and

daycare requirement in

thirty-two Texas counties. Arizona and Nevada also recently passed rules

requiring

vaccination for attendance at licensed daycare centers in counties with

high

incidence of hepatitis A, Maricopa County, AZ and County, NV. In

addition, the

state of Alaska routinely provides hepatitis A vaccine to pre-school and

school-age

children.

" Hepatitis Foundation International encourages pediatricians, public

health

officials and state legislators to embrace these new recommendations and

extend the

reach of hepatitis A vaccination programs for children, " said Ms. Thiel.

ACIP based its recommendation on a review of data from community-based

hepatitis A

vaccination programs. This data shows that continued implementation of

the current

approach of targeted voluntary vaccination to areas or groups at

increased risk is

unlikely to lower hepatitis A incidence in the United States.

Hepatitis A: A Serious Vaccine-Preventable Disease

Hepatitis A, which infects up to 200,000 Americans each year, is a

highly contagious

virus that attacks the liver. It is spread by the fecal-oral route

through close

person-to-person contact, or by ingesting contaminated food or water.

Symptoms can

be debilitating and include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea,

abdominal discomfort, jaundice and dark urine. Infected individuals can

unknowingly infect others 2 weeks prior to feeling ill themselves. Up to

22 percent of adult hepatitis A patients require hospitalization and

approximately 100 people in this country die every year from the

disease.

The highest incidence of hepatitis A is among children 5-14 years of age

with almost 30

percent of reported cases occurring among children younger than 15 years

of age.

Children are at high risk because they often come into close contact

with other children

in school and daycare settings. In fact, approximately 15 percent of

reported cases

of hepatitis A occur among children or employees in daycare centers.

Although hepatitis A infection in very young children can be mild or

asymptomatic, the virus is easily transmitted to older children and

adults who are likely to develop severe symptoms.

While scientists have identified at least five different hepatitis

viruses, hepatitis A, B and C are the most common. Hepatitis A is mainly

transmitted through the fecal-oral route, while hepatitis B and C are

spread through blood or other body fluids. Hepatitis A and B are both

preventable by vaccination. However, as each type of hepatitis is

different, vaccination against hepatitis B does not prevent infection

from hepatitis A.

The hepatitis A vaccines have been approved by the FDA and have been on

the market from 1995. They are considered safe and very effective (94%

in clinical trials).

The Hepatitis Foundation International focuses exclusively on bringing

viral hepatitis

under control by supporting research to find cures; through education

programs and

materials to inform health professionals, patients and the public about

new diagnostic

and treatment methods; and by providing a support network for those who

are infected

with viral hepatitis. For more information on hepatitis A, visit the

Hepatitis Foundation International website at http://www.HepFI.org or

call the HFI hotline

at: 800-891-0707.

SOURCE Hepatitis Foundation International

CONTACT: Holly White, 212-598-2845, for Hepatitis Foundation

International/ /Web

site: http://www.HepFI.org/