Professional Development

Hepatitis vaccination rates low among HIV-infected patients

Last Updated: 2004-05-26 15:35:23 -0400 (Reuters Health)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Rates of vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B are low among patients with HIV infection, according to a report in the May15th issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

A multicenter team headed by Dr. Ellen M. Tidaldi of Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, conducted a retrospective analysis of vaccination practices at HIV Outpatient Study sites.

Of 612 patients eligible for hepatitis B vaccination, only 198 received at least a single dose. Among 716 patients eligible for hepatitis A vaccine, only 167 received at least 1 dose.

Hepatitis B vaccination appeared to be associated with clinical practice factors as well as patient characteristics. "For hepatitis B, the rates of vaccine administration were somewhat better for those who had more frequent office visits and for those whose HIV risk category was high-risk heterosexual sex," the researchers report.

The investigators were not able to identify factors affecting hepatitis A vaccination rates.

"The inclusion of routine viral hepatitis screening, vaccination, and postvaccination testing for any new patients to a clinical practice needs to be emphasized," the authors conclude.

Clin Infect Dis 2004; 38:1483-1489.