Uptake and trends in ordering of funded hepatitis B immunisation for priority populations in Victoria, Australia, 2013-2014.

Background The Department of Health and Human Services in Victoria provides funded hepatitis B vaccine to many priority groups at risk of acquiring infection. We aimed to determine the uptake of vaccine ordering for at-risk groups over time, to assess any trends and identify any gaps in prevention of hepatitis B for those at risk.

METHODS: Routinely collected administrative data regarding the indication for vaccine ordered by practitioners were analysed for the period June 2013 to December 2014. Number of doses and courses distributed was determined and compared with the estimated size of the priority populations.

RESULTS: During the 18-month period assessed, 20498 doses of funded hepatitis B vaccine were ordered, equating to ~5700 complete courses, with the overall number of orders per quarter increasing between 2013 and 2014. The most common indication was being a household or sexual contact of people living with hepatitis B (2803 courses, 49.2% of the total), equating to approximately one course per new chronic hepatitis B notification. The remaining doses were largely distributed to people living with HIV (648 courses, 11.4%), people living with hepatitis C (621 courses, 10.9%), and people who inject drugs (594 courses, 10.4%).

CONCLUSIONS: This analysis demonstrates that access to hepatitis B immunisation among priority populations appears to have increased in Victoria during 2013-14, however it could still be improved. Continued assessment of these data over time will be important to measure the impact of interventions on increasing the reach of the funded vaccine program.