Hepatitis A vaccination programs in communities with high rates of hepatitis A.

In June 1995, the Public Health Service Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued recommendations about the use of hepatitis A vaccine for the prevention and control of hepatitis A. In communities with high rates of hepatitis A and periodic outbreaks, the ACIP recommends routine vaccination of young children and catch-up vaccination of previously unvaccinated older children. This report describes hepatitis A vaccination programs initiated to control ongoing outbreaks and prevent future outbreaks in two communities with high rates of hepatitis A. Preliminary epidemiologic data indicate that the program in one area may have decreased the magnitude and duration of a predicted outbreak. The incidence of hepatitis A in other areas will require long-term monitoring to determine the effect of the vaccination program .