[Adjustment of the hepatitis-B vaccination scheme for newborns born to hepatitis-B virus carriers as of 1 January 2006].

Timely administration of hepatitis-B immunoglobulin postpartum combined with hepatitis-B vaccination will prevent the majority of vertical hepatitis-B virus transmissions. As of I January 2006, the Dutch hepatitis-B vaccination scheme for newborns born to HBsAg positive mothers has been modified. Previously, the first vaccination was given at the age of 2 months. Newborns will now receive their first hepatitis-B vaccination preferably immediately following the administration of hepatitis-B immunoglobulin, within 2 hours after birth, or otherwise within 48 hours after birth. Booster vaccinations are scheduled at the ages of 2, 4 and II months, which are standard vaccination times in the Dutch national vaccination programme. The vaccination scheme for the other target-group of infants at increased risk of hepatitis-B virus infection has remained unchanged. As before, these infants will be vaccinated at 2, 4 and II months. It is also intended to measure the efficacy of vaccination by determining the anti-HBs antibodies 6 weeks after the last vaccination, at the age of I3 to 14 months. With this modification of the vaccination scheme, the Minister of Health follows the advice of the Health Council of the Netherlands. The goal is to increase the efficacy of hepatitis-B prevention' in newborns born to HBsAg positive mothers.