Publication: Hepatitis B vaccination for international travelers to Asia
Issued Date
2016
Resource Type
Language
eng
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
BioMed Central
Bibliographic Citation
Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines. Vol.2, (2016), 14
Suggested Citation
Kittiyod Poovorawan, Ngamphol Soonthornworasiri, Sa-angchai, Patiwat, Chayasin Mansanguan, Watcharapong Piyaphanee Hepatitis B vaccination for international travelers to Asia. Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines. Vol.2, (2016), 14. doi:10.1186/s40794-016-0031-z Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/3162
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Thesis
Title
Hepatitis B vaccination for international travelers to Asia
Abstract
There is a wide range in prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and HBV immunization programs between
different regions. Hepatitis B is a vaccine preventable disease yet is still endemic in the majority of countries in Asia.
Despite the decreasing global prevalence of chronic HBV infection, there is still considerable risk of HBV infection
among international travelers to high endemic areas. Numbers of international travelers are expected to increase
year by year; thus immunization among this cohort is a crucial preventive measure. Among international travelers
to Asia, HBV immunization should be recommended for those without previous HBV vaccination who plan to travel
to countries with intermediate to high prevalence of HBV, and especially for those individuals at greater risk of HBV
infection; including travelers engaging in casual sex, getting a tattoo or piercing, and those having dental surgery or
other medical procedures. Longer duration of travel is also associated with a greater risk of HBV infection. Travelers
from low HBV prevalence countries, especially those born before implementation of universal HBV vaccination, might
benefit from HBV vaccination during long-term traveling to HBV intermediate to high endemic country.