From the Guidelines
The hepatitis B vaccine requirement for public schools in the United States was first recommended to be adopted by states in 2005, as part of a comprehensive immunization strategy to eliminate transmission of hepatitis B virus infection. According to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations 1, states are encouraged to adopt regulations or laws that require hepatitis B vaccination for entry into child care and also for entry into kindergarten and/or elementary school to ensure high vaccine coverage among infants and children. The implementation of this requirement varied by state, with some states adopting the regulation immediately while others phased it in over several years. Key points to consider when implementing the hepatitis B vaccine requirement for public schools include:
- Ensuring all children receive the recommended series of three doses, with the first dose given at birth, the second at 1-2 months of age, and the third at 6-18 months 1
- Reviewing immunization records for all children aged 11--12 years and completing the vaccine series if they were not previously vaccinated or were incompletely vaccinated 1
- Prioritizing vaccination for children and adolescents who were born in or have parents from intermediate- or high-endemic countries 1 This vaccination schedule provides long-lasting immunity against hepatitis B virus, which can cause serious liver disease including chronic infection, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. By requiring hepatitis B vaccination for public school entry, states can increase vaccination rates and protect children from this preventable disease.
From the Research
Hepatitis B Vaccine Requirement for Public Schools
- The exact year when the hepatitis B vaccine was required for public schools is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
- However, according to the study 2, in 1991, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended vaccination of all infants with three doses of hepatitis B virus vaccine by 18 months of age.
- The study 3 discusses school-based adolescent hepatitis B immunization programs in the United States, which were implemented in the early 1990s, but it does not specify when the vaccine became a requirement for public schools.
- The other studies 4, 5, and 6 provide information on the effectiveness and impact of hepatitis B vaccination, but they do not mention the specific requirement for public schools.
- It can be inferred that the hepatitis B vaccine was likely required for public schools sometime after 1991, when the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices made its recommendation, but the exact year is not specified in the provided studies.