Hepatitis A immunisation need in nursing students in Turkey

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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended immunization guidelines for HCWs. These guidelines recommended immunizations against hepatitis A vaccine for person with chronic liver disease, international travelers, and certain other groups at increased risk for exposure to hepatitis A (1). Especially in developing countries like Turkey, the rate of young adult HCWs who are still susceptible to HAV is unidentified and there is no official recommendation for the vaccination of HCWs against HAV. Nursing students and healthcare personel have a risk to be infected with HAV due to occupational exposure and HAV infection can be more severe when it occurs in adulthood (2). In countries of intermediate endemicity, WHO recommends that large-scale childhood vaccination may be considered as a supplement to health education and improved sanitation (1). HAV vaccination is included in the national vaccination program with a two-doses at 18 and 24 months of age since 2012 in Turkey by the Turkish Ministry of Health (3). To conclude; the high rate of susceptible nursing students to hepatitis A can lead to an increase in the risk of nosocomial transmission. In order to reduce the risk of hepatitis A morbidity and mortality, a catch-up vaccination program is needed for nursing students in Turkey. 1- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Morbidity and Mortality Report. Recommendations and Reports. Immunization of Health-Care Personnel Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). 2011 Nov 25; 60 (7): 1-48. 2- Rezaee-Zavareh MS, Karimi-Sari H, Dolatimehr F, Alavian SM. Hepatitis A Virus Infection, Vaccination and Iranian Healthcare Workers. Hepat Mon: 29;15(12):e35238. 3- Türkiye Halk Sağlığı Kurumu. Aşı İle Önlenebilir Hastalıklar Daire Başkanlığı. Hepatit A Aşısı Uygulaması. 06.09.2012 tarih ve B.10.1.HSK.0.13.00.00/131.99/944 sayılı yazı.

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