Experts Urge for Universal Hepatitis B Baby Vaccinations
Medical experts are urging for the UK to seriously consider introducing a Hepatitis B vaccination programme for all new born babies. Such a scheme, they say, is necessary when so many immigrants are now arriving in the country.
Since 2001, estimates the Hepatitis B Foundation UK, the number of instances involving the disease has increased two-fold – fuelled in part by the influx of infectees. Currently thought to be at around 326,000, this figure, it adds, will likely double again.
The transmission of Hepatitis B occurs when a person is exposed to the bodily fluids of someone carrying the disease – for example, through unprotected sexual intercourse. There is also a tendency for mothers with Hepatitis B to transmit it to their son/ daughter at the point of childbirth.
Hepatitis B More Contagious than HIV
Hepatitis B is considerably more contagious than HIV. The acute strand claims the lives of five per cent of those carrying it, while, when present in chronic form, it can induce ultimately fatal complications of the liver.
The new report was constructed by a team including Professor Graham Foster, who, commenting on the situation at large, urged:
"We are not in the middle of a major public health problem yet, but we need to start looking ahead before we find ourselves in one”. He continued: "At the moment many immigrant groups are not well integrated - they stick together. Hopefully that will change, but at the same time it is in the areas where community relations are thriving, where people are integrated, that we start to see the health problems."
Hepatitis B Rife in Africa and Asia
In comparison to its presence in Europe, Hepatitis B is relatively widespread in Africa and parts of Asia. In Europe, substantial geographical variations exist.
The UK stands within the minority of countries not providing universal vaccination against the condition, owing to its comparatively low level of prevalence. However, according to the Hepatitis B Foundation UK, the more selective scheme in operation lacks proper implementation.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health described how the UK possessed “a range of measures to prevent and control (the condition).” He/she added: "We keep the UK's hepatitis B immunisation programme under ongoing review. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is currently reviewing the programme and will offer advice once all the evidence has been considered."
Source – Pharmaceutical International’s Health Reporter
