A survey on the vaccination practice for perinatal hepatitis B virus infection at a clinic in Okinawa, Japan.

The prevalence of hepatitis B (HB) virus carrier mothers and the HB immunization rate at a clinic in Okinawa prefecture were investigated. The prevalence of HB virus carrier mothers during 1981-1985, 1986-1994 and 1995-1997 were 3.5%, 2.3% and 1.1% respectively. According to the national prevention program, passive-active immunoprophylaxis with HB immune globulin (HBIG) and HB vaccine was carried out for 12 infants born to HB virus carrier mothers positive for HBe antigen (high risk infants) and for 24 infants born to carrier mothers negative for HBe antigen (low risk infants) since 1986. The immunization rate of high risk infants and low risk infants were 100.0% and 91.7%, respectively. A follow up system for the prevention program and assessment of vaccination schedule will be necessary to improve HB immunization rate of low risk infants in the future.