Prevalence of markers of hepatitis B and response to vaccination in health personnel and other subjects at risk in the province of Macerata

Circulation of HBV was examined in subjects at risk including al so health personnel employed in 5 Local Health Units ofMarche. Positivity for at least one marker was 12.9% greater in males and in subjects older than 30, with a lower prevalence in comparison with other italian regions. Nurses were more affected than other subjects (41.2% of positive individuals). Only two thirds of serum-negative subjects accepted undergo to vaccination, probably because plasma-derived vaccines are not well accepted by health personnel. Serumconversion rate was lower than expected from literature data, due to either problems in vaccine storage and use and to the fact that at the beginning of the vaccination campaign administrations were not made in the deltoid region. Offering the new vaccine as well as more incisive health education will contribute to prevention in subjects at risk not before available to vaccination.