Since the introduction of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) and more recently, the hepatitis B vaccine, programs for hepatitis B prevention have become a major part of most employee health/infection control programs. In fact, hepatitis B prevention activities have probably been responsible for increased collaboration between the two programs. Hepatitis B prevention is a very fluid process and is constantly changing as we develop a greater understanding of the creative uses of both HBIg and the vaccine. On e important trend that has emerged from the introduction and widespread use of HBIg and vaccine has been a greater emphasis on pre-exposure prevention of hepatitis B infection. In the past, programs for hepatitis B prevention consisted of periodic hepatitis B screening in dialysis units and some laboratories. Unfortunately, screening only monitors introduction of infection and does very little to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
Time for universal hepatitis B screening for Australian adults