[Analysis on coverage of hepatitis A vaccine among pre-school children in Shandong province].

Objective: To reveal the hepatitis A vaccine (HepA) coverage among pre-school children in Shandong province before Hepatitis A vaccine was introduced to the EPI and to provide evidence for improving the strategy for hepatitis A control.

Methods: A cross-section survey was conducted among children aged between 2 and 6 years old in Shandong province in March 2008. The study population was selected by random sampling method and HepA immunization history was obtained by immunization record or recall.

Results: 78.90% had received one dose of HepA at least. The coverage rate decreased with age and the differences in three age groups were statistically significant (chi2 = 11.54, P = 0.02). The coverage rates among the boys and girls were 77.67% and 80.30% respectively, the difference was not significantly (chi2 = 1.17, P = 0.28). The HepA coverage rates among the children living in the eastern areas and in the richer areas were higher than the centrale and western areas and poverty areas, the difference has statistic significance (chi2 = 27.25, 58.17, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The HepA routine immunization should be enhanced, especially in central and western areas and a HepA catch-up campaign should be conducted among the pre-school children in Shandong province.