Health Dept defends hepatitis B scheme

Press, 12 July 1988, Page 7

Health Dept defends hepatitis B scheme

By

SARAH SANDS

The Health Department has hit back at a claim that its hepatitis B immunisation programme is floundering. Dr Nigel Ashworth, of the department’s health protection programme, said yesterday that it was too early to tell the success of the hepatitis B campaign. He disputed criticisms by the Opposition spokesman on health, Mr Don McKinnon, that the number of children being vaccinated fell markedly after the first shot.

“Only limited figures are so far available, particularly the numbers of children attending for their second and third injections.” A more accurate survey

would be made later this year after the third round of injections, said Dr Ashworth. This would allow time for latecomers to have their injections and for checks to be made on the number of children who received their shots from their family doctor, he said.

The evaluation would be made this year even though the fourth injection was not due until next year.

Dr Ashworth said that children would not be excluded from the programme if they were late with their injections. "Quite a degree of latitude exists with the timing of intervals between doses and it is always possible to adjust courses in order

to achieve good levels of protective antibodies, without having to resume a full course from the start,” he said. Any child under five on February 29 was eligible for free immunisation against hepatitis B, said Dr Ashworth. “This offer is available indefinitely so it is never too late for children to be brought along for their course.” Health checks would be made on primary school entrants in the future and these would include checks on whether the children had had injections against hepatitis B. “If not, their parents or guardians will be urged to get their children up to date with a full course,” Dr Ashworth said.