Authors: Nevin, Remington L.¹; Niebuhr, David W.²

Source: Military Medicine, Volume 172, Number 7, July 2007 , pp. 787-793(7)

Publisher: AMSUS - Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Abstract:

Background: The U.S. military immunizes new recruits against hepatitis A. Since 2001, immunization with the hepatitis A vaccine has been recommended for civilian adolescents in higher risk areas. Recently, the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board recommended serologic screening where feasible to reduce redundant recruit immunizations. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine hepatitis A seroprevalence in recruit populations to inform screening policy. Methods: Banked serum from a sample of military recruits (n = 2,592) in 2004 was tested for total antibody to hepatitis A (anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV)). Results: The overall anti-HAV seroprevalence was 12.0% (95% confidence interval, 10.8%-13.3%). Adjusted to the age distribution of the 18- to 34-year-old population, the seroprevalence was 11.9% (10.5%-13.4%). The lowest seroprevalence was noted in the 1984 birth cohort, with significantly higher seroprevalence among younger recruits. Conclusions: Rising hepatitis A immunity among successive birth cohorts suggests increasing compliance with immunization recommendations. In anticipation of rising population immunity, universal screening of military recruits for anti-HAV is recommended.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Army Medical Surveillance Activity, U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Silver Spring, MD 20910. 2: Department of Epidemiology, Division of Preventive Medicine, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Publication date: 2007-07-01

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• Military Medicine is the Association's official monthly journal. The objective of the Journal is to promote awareness of Federal medicine by providing a forum for responsible discussion of common ideas and problems relevant to Federal healthcare. Its mission is: To increase healthcare education by providing scientific and other information to its readers; to facilitate communication; and to offer a prestige publication for members' writings.
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