Hepatitis B: Mass Immunization of adults not necessary: Experts
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1999 Mar / Apr VOL VIII NO 2.
Source: The Times of India News Service on March 12, 1999.
New Delhi: Even as experts stress on the need for mass immunization of children against Hepatitis B, several persons say that in adult population, mass immunization is not necessary. Only those at risk of acquiring the virus, should be vaccinated, says Dr S K Acharya, professor of Gastroenterology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). These include commercial sex workers, health care professionals and those in need of regular blood transfusion, such as thalassemics and others. Or alternately, test specifically for the presence of hepatitis B antibodies, which indicates immunity against it.
Other experts differ: "Ideally we should go for mass vaccination", says Dr S K Jain, Professor of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College. "It is a major health problem in the country and testing for antitbodies before immunising is an expensive exercise. The vaccine to those with acquired immunity, will not cause any harm and only act as a booster dose."
But all experts agree that mass immunization in children is a must: "With this, the carrier Hepatitis B frequency will reduce in 10-15 yrs" says Dr Acharya.
Currently, it is estimated that 3% North Indians and 6 % South Indians carry the Hepatitis B virus. This works out to 45 million people in the country who are carrying the Hepatitits B virus.
And experts say that going by the infectious nature of the virus, wider surveys need to be done in the general population, to know the actual prevalence. The current data is hospital-based says Dr S K Jain.
Government efforts can reduce the high prevalence. Safe and effective vaccines are available against this virus: two types of Hepatitis B vaccines are available in the market-
Plasma-derived and
Recombinant vaccine
The recombinant vaccine, though more expensive, has fewer side effects, said Dr Jain. At least two doses of this vaccine are required though three are ideal.
