Hepatitis study looks
at infant program

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Star-Bulletin staff

Consent forms will be distributed in the next two weeks to second- and third-grade students who received hepatitis B vaccinations at birth to see if they are protected.

The state Department of Health is conducting the project to determine how effective the infant vaccine program has been.

Informational meetings will be held next month for parents and school personnel, who are urged to participate in the study.

Hawaii has one of the highest hepatitis B carrier rates in the country, with 2 percent to 3 percent of the population infected.

The disease attacks the liver and can lead to cancer or chronic liver disease.

Babies are vaccinated at birth against the virus under the Universal Infant Hepatitis B Program, established in Hawaii in 1991.

"Hepatitis B vaccinations are extremely important in preventing this serious disease in Hawaii," said Health Director Bruce Anderson. "We are encouraging all parents or guardians with children in these grades to provide consent for their child to participate in the project."

A small amount of blood will be drawn from the second- and third-graders for testing to see if they are still protected or if they need boosters. Any child who needs protection and has parental consent will be offered free immunization.

The Health Department will use the testing information to determine the infant vaccination program's effectiveness and whether any changes are needed.

All elementary schools are urged to participate in the project, being supported by the Department of Education. Most clinics will be held at the schools.

The dangers of the disease and importance of the project will be discussed at next month's informational briefings.

For more information, call the Health Department's Hepatitis Control Section, 586-8324.