Follow the guidance: Universal adult hepatitis B vaccine recommendations

Safe and effective vaccines have long been at the forefront of our country’s disease prevention strategy. As one of the most beneficial and cost-effective health interventions, vaccines have dramatically reduced the incidence of diphtheria, measles, and smallpox. ^{(1), (2)}

Evidence shows vaccination saves lives.^two, Now is the time for us to fully utilize the same defenses against a highly transmissible virus: hepatitis B.^(three)

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus.^(Four) There are treatments for hepatitis B, but there is no cure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated.^(five) For most people, hepatitis B goes away on its own.^(saw) But for those who don’t clear the virus, the resulting health complications can be lifelong and even fatal.^saw

There’s no way of knowing who will clear the virus and who won’t. Unfortunately, 80% of people don’t know they are infected.^(eight)

Currently, 296 million people worldwide suffer from chronic hepatitis B.^saw From 2016 to 2020, more than 75% of acute infections occurred in people aged 30-59 years.^(eight) In 2022, the CDC issued a general recommendation that all previously unvaccinated adults ages 19-59 receive hepatitis B vaccination. ^{5. (9)}*

Patient identification is easier than ever thanks to updated age-based vaccination recommendations. Now is the time to evaluate our current efforts to comply with these recommendations while highlighting strategies that will drive future success.

First, gaps in awareness and communication need to be addressed. According to a recent survey conducted by HealthLeaders, 65% of respondents knew little about the timing, rationale, and importance of the CDC’s universal recommendations for adult hepatitis B vaccination.^(X)

“It is critical that institutions and their healthcare professionals not only educate themselves but also develop plans to implement the 2022 CDC adult hepatitis B vaccination recommendations,” said Arun Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Chief of Liver Quality and Director of the Center for Clinical Medicine Dr. B Jesusudian said. Weill Cornell Medicine Inpatient Liver Service. “Hepatitis B vaccination has been the standard of care for infants since 1991 as part of the routine vaccination series, making it the first vaccine infants may receive before leaving hospital. However, we know that many adults remain unprotected . In fact, 80% of adults born before 1991 may not have vaccine-induced immunity.”^(eleven)

In the same HealthLeaders survey, nearly 80% of respondents agreed that in order for health systems to effectively adopt and implement CDC’s adult hepatitis B vaccination recommendations, they need to communicate and educate health care professionals about this important recommendation , while also assessing their progress in vaccinating the large number of adults for whom hepatitis B vaccination is currently recommended.^hope

So, how can institutions effectively and efficiently implement adult hepatitis B vaccination strategies?

communication is key

It’s no secret that communication in the workplace is important because it improves employee morale, engagement, productivity, and satisfaction. Most importantly, it helps institutions comply with guidelines and recommendations from regulatory agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the CDC hepatitis B vaccination recommendations in adults, it is recommended that important information be shared, including 1) timing and rationale for the recommendations 2) expectations for implementation of the updated CDC recommendations 3) progress in implementing the CDC recommendations and vaccinating hepatitis vaccines for the recommended adult population b. Vaccination.

Education is imperative

It is important that these health care professionals understand the reasons for CDC’s universal adult hepatitis B vaccination recommendations, including how to identify and vaccinate all eligible patients.

Additionally, this knowledge can help health care professionals strongly recommend to their patients universal hepatitis B vaccination for adults.^{ninety two)} To start a conversation with a patient, you might say something like: “Depending on your date of birth, you may not have received the hepatitis B vaccine series as a child. The CDC now recommends that previously unvaccinated adults ages 19-59* stay up to date Hepatitis B vaccination status, I recommend you start today.”^{ninety three}

Assessment is central to ensuring success

To ensure increased hepatitis B vaccination rates among adults, it is critical to monitor gaps in care and identify missed opportunities that may address issues with recommended vaccinations for adult patients.

HeplisavBresources.com provides tools and resources to help increase adult hepatitis B vaccination rates in health systems and promote effective implementation.

With approximately 133 million adults now potentially eligible for vaccination, many agencies are opting for a two-dose hepatitis B vaccine to help vaccinate adults more effectively.^(Thirteen)** HEPLISAV-B (Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted) is the only 2-dose adult hepatitis B vaccine that can be administered in a series in as little as one month.^(fourteen) In fact, the HealthLeaders survey showed that 69% of respondents said that assuming equivalent efficacy and safety, a two-dose vaccine (versus a 3- or 4-dose option) would be the most effective dosing regimen to facilitate completion of the vaccine series.^hope

If you or your institution have not yet developed an implementation plan for the CDC recommendations for universal hepatitis B vaccination among adults, now is the time for you and your team to start implementing it effectively!