RESUMEN
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<0.001) 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) (χ(2)=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) (χ(2)=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, χ(2)<0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of Hepatitis A declined sharply in China while hepatitis E was still increasing from 2004 to 2015, calling for the expansion on the coverage of Hepatitis E vaccine in the whole population.
