Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage and Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Among Children in French Polynesia, 2014

Abstract

Abstract. French Polynesia is considered to be moderately endemic for chronic hepatitis B virus infection, with an estimated 3% of the population having hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). From 1990 to 1992, a 3-dose hepatitis B vaccination series was introduced into the routine infant immunization schedule in French Polynesia, including a birth dose (BD). In 2014, a nationally representative 2-stage cluster survey was undertaken to evaluate the impact of the vaccination program on HBsAg prevalence among school children (∼6 years of age) in Cours Préparatoire (CP). Documented vaccination data were reviewed for all eligible children; children with consent were tested for HBsAg with a rapid point-of-care test. In total, 1,660 students were identified; 1,567 (94%) had vaccination data for review and 1,196 (72%) participated in the serosurvey. Three-dose vaccination coverage was 98%, while timely BD coverage, defined as a dose administered within 24 hours of life, was 89%. Receipt of the second and third doses was often delayed, with 75% and 55% receiving a second and third dose within 1 month of the recommended age, respectively. No children tested positive for HBsAg. French Polynesia's vaccination program has achieved high coverage and an HBsAg seroprevalence of 0% (0-0.5%) among CP school children, but timeliness of vaccination could be improved.

Towards elimination of chronic viral hepatitis in French Polynesia: results from a national population-based survey

“…The absence of HBsAg among individuals born after the mandatory vaccination policy, is in favour of a strong efficacy of the three-dose vaccination course, 22 an interpretation consistent with conclusions from the European consensus group on hepatitis B immunity, which stated that the duration of protection among fully vaccinated children is at least 15 years. 34 Only 32% of individuals born after the implementation of the mandatory anti-hepatitis B immunization still had detectable anti-HBs antibodies at the time of study enrollment.…”

“…20 , 21 In 2014, a nationwide evaluation carried out among 6-year-old schoolchildren, showed a three-dose HBV vaccination coverage of 98% and a prevalence of HBsAg of 0% (95% CI: 0–0.5). 22 In 2019, the screening of the entire adult population of Rapa, the most remote island of the Austral archipelago, revealed a prevalence of HBsAg of 11% in people born before 1992. 23 In a retrospective study of all cases of HCC diagnosed in French Polynesia between 2008 and 2017, the detection rate of HCC reported in the Austral archipelago (43.1 new diagnosed cases per 100,000 population per year) was found to be among the highest in the world, and was mostly associated with HBV infection.…”

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Honiara Solomon Islands, 2015

“…Currently, some PICs countries have included routine screening for Hepatitis B in their ANC package[36-39]. In Fiji and French Polynesia, screening is recommended during the first ANC visit and newborns of seropositive mothers are given immunoglobulin as well as birth dose vaccines at birth followed by three subsequent vaccine doses[36,37]. Similarly in Vanuatu, universal screening of pregnant women for HBsAg was commenced in Port Vila hospital in 2013[39].…”

Hepatitis B vaccine development and implementation

“…104 After universal hepatitis B vaccination, it appeared that almost no chronic HBV infection occurs in children born to HBsAgnegative mothers. 121,122 In addition, HBsAg prevalence in general young adults has also significantly declined in countries or regions where the universal hepatitis B vaccination program was adopt from the later of 1980s to early of 1990s. The prevalence of HBsAg in young adults aged 18-29 y in Taiwan in 2014 was 0.7% (9/1246), 117 far lower than over 10% in prevaccine era.…”