Impact of the single-dose immunization strategy against hepatitis A in Argentina.
2014
BACKGROUND: After a country wide outbreak occurred during 2003-2004, 1 dose of hepatitis A vaccine was introduced into Argentinian regular immunization schedule for all children aged 12 months in June 2005. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of this novel intervention. METHODS: A longitudinal analysis was done of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection rates reported to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System from 2000 to 2011. Occurrence of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and liver transplantation cases up to 2011 were also assessed. Incidence rates and clinical impact were compared between pre- and postvaccination periods (2000-2002 vs. 2006-2011). Notification rates were also compared by age groups and geographical regions. RESULTS: Since 2006, an abrupt decline was observed in HAV infection rates, as well as in FHF and liver transplantation cases. The mean incidence rate of 7.9/100,000 in the postvaccination period represents a reduction of 88.1% (P 14 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The single-dose vaccination strategy has been highly effective for controlling HAV infection in all age groups till now in Argentina. Long-term surveillance will be critical to document the sustained success of this unique intervention.
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