Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis A and hepatitis E in different periods of vaccination in China, 2004-2015 / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective Through analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis A and E and the situation of vaccination,to promote the recommendation profile on Hepatitis E vaccination program,in China.Methods Three phases of time span were divided as 2004-2007,2008-2011 and 2012-2015,with age groups divided as ＜20,20-29,30-39 and ≥40.Incidence rates in both different phases and age groups were compared.Numbers of Hepatitis A and E vaccines released and used,were described.Results Between 2004 and 2015,a declining trend in the reported incidence of hepatitis A (t=-12.15,P＜0.001),but an increasing trend in hepatitis E (t=6.63,P＜0.00l) were noticed.The mean number of hepatitis A cases declined from 6 515 to 1 986 between 2004 and 2007 while the number of hepatitis E cases increased from 1 491 to 2 277 between 2012 and 2015.The peaks of hepatitis E appeared persistent annually,in March.The incidence of hepatitis A declined in three regions,with the western region (3.46/100 000) much higher than the eastern (1.13/100 000) or central regions (1.14/100 000) (x2=32 630,P＜0.01).The incidence of hepatitis E increased both in the central (1.74/100 000) and western regions (1.58/100 000),but more in the eastern region (2.66/100 000) (x2=6 009,P ＜ 0.01).Incidence of hepatitis A declined in all age groups and declined by 84.36％ among the 0-19 group.However,the incidence of hepatitis E showed an increasing trend among the ≥20 group.Incidence rates appeared higher in the older age groups.The coverage of hepatitis A vaccine increased from 62.05％ to 93.54％,but with a negative association seen between the coverage of Hepatitis A vaccine and the incidence (F=10.69,x2＜0.05).Conclusion The incidence of Hepatitis A declined sharply in China while hepatitis E was still increasing from 2004to 2015,calling for the expansion on the coverage of Hepatitis E vaccine in the whole population.