Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis B in Greek Children 6 Years After the Implementation of Universal Vaccination

  • Clinical and Epidemiological Study
  • Published:
Infection Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The seroepidemiology of hepatitis B in children living in Greece 6 years post-implementation of universal infant immunization (1998) was studied. We collected 90–100 sera/year of age, stratified by geographic region. The prevalence of HbsAg(+) was 0.6% (95% CI 0.3–1.3) whereas 4.5% (95% CI 3.4–5.9%) of children over 12 months of age had evidence of past HBV infection. A significant decline in the prevalence of past infection between children born before and after 1998 (5.5% vs 2.9%; RR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.03–3.5) was noted. Conversely, the prevalence of past HBV infection did not change significantly among immigrant children. Reinforcement of early vaccination of immigrant population is necessary.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 2nd Dept. of Pediatrics, University of Athens, “A. Kyriakou” Children's Hospital, Thivon and Livadias str, Goudi, Athens, 11527, Greece

    V. Papaevangelou

  2. Dept. of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, 41222, Greece

    C. Hadjichristodoulou

  3. Dept. of Pediatrics, University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, 68100, Greece

    D. C. Cassimos & A. Hatzimichael

  4. Blood Bank Laboratory, “A. Sofia” Children's Hospital, Goudi, Athens, 11527, Greece

    K. Pantelaki & A. Tzivaras

  5. First Dept. of Pediatrics, University of Athens, “A. Sofia” Children's Hospital, Goudi, Athens, 11527, Greece

    M. Theodoridou

Authors
  1. V. Papaevangelou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. Hadjichristodoulou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. C. Cassimos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. K. Pantelaki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Tzivaras
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. A. Hatzimichael
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. M. Theodoridou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Papaevangelou.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Papaevangelou, V., Hadjichristodoulou, C., Cassimos, D.C. et al. Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis B in Greek Children 6 Years After the Implementation of Universal Vaccination. Infection 36, 135–139 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-007-7096-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-007-7096-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation