Hepatitis A Coverage in Teens — Not a Reason to Shout Hep-Hep Hooray!

Since 2006 hepatitis A vaccine has been universally recommended to be given between 1-2 years of age and recommended for those over age one through 18 based on risk or desire for protection. Despite its increased availability, we wonder just how well we are doing in getting teens vaccinated against this virus. Dorell et al. (doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-2197) address this issue by looking at data from the 2009 National immunization Survey of Teens to determine coverage in adolescents ages 13 through 17, given that the vaccine has been available since the late 1990s. The results show that less than half of our teens are protected against this virus, and reminds us to offer it to teens who wish to be against the complications of this infection in adulthood. While reading an article on vaccination rates may not excite you, hopefully by including it in my blog I am taking my best shot at reminding you of the import of discussing the benefits of this vaccine with all your adolescent patients.