In a study of different strategies for preventing hepatitis B infections in newborns in a Burmese refugee population with a high infection rate, administering hepatitis B immune globulin to newborns whose mothers test positive through a rapid diagnostic test — in addition to vaccinating all newborns with a birth dose — prevented twice as many infections in newborns than vaccination alone and was cost-effective (while the current strategy of providing immune globulin only after a confirmatory lab test was done was not). Thus, this strategy could be considered for similar marginalized or poor populations.
Full Citation:
Devine A, Harvey R, Min AM et al.. 2017. Strategies for the prevention of perinatal hepatitis B transmission in a marginalized population on the Thailand-Myanmar border: a cost-effectiveness analysis. BMC Infectious Diseases. 17(1).
Title of Article: Strategies for the prevention of perinatal hepatitis B transmission in a marginalized population on the Thailand-Myanmar border: a cost-effectiveness analysis
Author(s): Devine A, Harvey R, Min AM et al.
Publication Year: 2017
Publication Name: BMC Infectious Diseases
Publication Volume: 17(1)
Publication Source URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28793866/
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): 10.1186/s12879-017-2660-x
Topics: Economics & Return on Investment
Disease Vaccines: Hepatitis (A & B)
Immunization Terms: Cost-effectiveness
WHO Regions: South-East Asia