Immunization Newsbriefs

© Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD.  Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii).

Visit NNii’s new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

April 6, 2001

“Campaign Aims to Help Fight Hepatitis B ‘pandemic’” Deseret News (www.deseretnews.com) (04/03/01) P. B2; Collins, Lois M.

Hepatitis B has become a very real concern to United States health officials as nearly 200,000 new cases are reported annually.  Currently, at least 1.25 million Americans live with chronic hepatitis B infection.  According to Ginny Peterson of Salt Lake’s Community Nursing Services, the infection is easier to contract and teens are at a high risk for transmission, which can take place through blood, semen and saliva.  Statistics indicate that one in 20 Americans will be exposed to hepatitis B, and 10 percent of those will become chronically ill.  Hepatitis B is the focus of an ongoing community-wide campaign in Salt Lake City that aims to ensure that area teens are immunized and informed.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.