4252.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 5:10 PM

Abstract #29436

Hepatitis B immunization catch-up for Asian & Pacific Islander children, programs of the National Task Force on Hepatitis B, Focus on Asians & Pacific Islanders

Gary Euler, Dr PH, Epidemiology and Surveillance Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Immunization Program, Mailstop E-61, Atlanta, GA 77030, 404-638-8742, gle0@cdc.gov, Moon S. Chen, PhD, MPH, AAPIHP, Inc, Executive Director, National Task Force for Hepatitis B Immunization, Focus on Asians and Pacific Islanders, 5525 Corey Swirl Drive, Dublin, OH 43017-3057, Son Do, MD, Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas, Anthony Chen, MD, Medical Director, Holly Park Medical Center, Bellevue, WA, W. William Chen, PhD, University of Florida, Alice Chan, RN, PHN, California State Department of Health, Shelly C McKeirman, RN, MN, MPHH, Seattle & King County Department of Health, Trang Kuss, RN, MN, MPHH, Washington Department of Health Immunization Program, Hong Liu, PhD, Illinois Health Education Consortium, Quyen Ngo-Metzger, MD, Harvard Medical School, Robert Vryheid, PhD, Epidemiology Consultant, LaMesa, California, and Barbara A. Reilley, RN, PhD, Coordinator, National Task Force for Hepatitis B Immunization, Focus on Asians & Pacific Islanders, 7350 Kirby Drive, #25, Houston, TX 77030.

Asian and Pacific Islander(API) children in the United States have high rates of hepatitis B virus infection, which often leads to liver cancer at a rate that is 8 to 14 times higher than white Americans. Although hepatitis B vaccination is required for entrance into kindergarten and first grade in most states and series completion among API children aged 7 years and younger approaches 90%, among older API children it remains less than 50%. In 1998, a 6-city survey to examine trends in hepatitis B vaccinations of API children indicated HepB coverage was modest in those cities with hepatitis B vaccinations programs (41%-61%) and very low in those without such programs (2%-11%). The National Task Force for Hepatitis B Immunization, Focus on APIs (TF) is committed to improving the hepatitis B vaccination rates in children 8-18 years of age to 90% by 2004. With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, since 1995 the TF has initiated programs in 12 states with the largest API populations. This panel will provide an overview of hepatitis B and its effects on API children, and summarize the most recent TF projects in Atlanta, Chicago, Dorchester, Florida, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and Seattle. The panel will discuss expanding opportunities with providers through the Federal Vaccine for Children Program and other potential avenues to increase HepB coverage rates during 2002. See www.aapihp.com

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to describe the work of the National Task Force on Hepatitis B Immunization, Focus on Asians & Pacific Islanders in achieving hepatitis B immunization catch-up for AAPI children ages 8-18.

Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, Hepatitis B

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Handout (.ppt format, 924.5 kb)

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA