MMWR News Synopsis

Articles

Progress Toward Hepatitis B Control — World Health Organization European Region, 2016–2019

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

During 2016–2020, the WHO European Region made substantial progress toward hepatitis B control through immunization of children with hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), including a birth dose to all newborns, and screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B to prevent mother-to-child transmission. In 2019, 14 million people in the WHO European Region had chronic hepatitis B infection and an estimated 43,000 died from its complications. Of the 53 countries in the region, 50 provided routine HepB vaccination to all infants or children aged 1-12 years by 2019, including 23 that offered a birth dose to all newborns Thirty-five countries achieved over 90% three-dose coverage during 2017=2019,, and 19 achieved ≥ 90% timely  birth dose coverage during that period. Of the 30 countries that  selectively gave a birth dose to infants of hepatitis B-infected mothers, 17 screened ≥90% of their pregnant women. In January 2020, Italy and the Netherlands were the first two countries to be validated for meeting all hepatitis B control targets. To accelerate progress toward hepatitis B control in Europe, countries could increase hepatitis B vaccination coverage and measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission and better understand the burden of hepatitis B.

Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel Working in Long-Term Care Facilities, by Job Category — National Healthcare Safety Network, United States, March 2021

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Residents and health care personnel (HCP) in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are at increased risk of death from COVID-19. A CDC study found COVID-19 vaccination coverage was highest among physicians and lowest among aides working in LTCFs, and vaccination coverage among aides was lower in facilities located in ZIP-code areas with higher levels of social vulnerability. Additional efforts are needed to improve LTCF immunization policies and vaccination practices, build HCP confidence in COVID-19 vaccines, and promote COVID-19 vaccination among LTCF staff members, particularly those who have been economically or socially marginalized. In December 2020, CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network launched COVID-19 vaccination modules, allowing LTCFs across the United States to voluntarily submit facility-level COVID-19 vaccination data each week. During March 2021, among the 300 LTCFs that reported COVID-19 vaccination coverage for their HCP by job category, full COVID-19 vaccination coverage (i.e., two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine) was highest among physicians (75%) and lowest among nursing aides (46%) and nurses (57%). The coverage differences were noted during a month when LTCF workers and residents were not only prioritized for vaccination, but many facilities had on-site vaccination offered through the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. Vaccination coverage among aides was lower in facilities located in ZIP-code areas with higher social vulnerability (factors associated with poor health). Low vaccination coverage among LTCF staff members highlights differences across HCP groups and in the surrounding communities. Additional efforts are needed to improve LTCF immunization policies and vaccination practices, build HCP confidence in COVID-19 vaccines, and promote vaccination among LTCF staff members, particularly those who have been economically or socially marginalized.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Public School District Employees Following a District-Wide Vaccination Program — Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, March 21–April 23, 2021 (Early Release July 23, 2021)

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

Guidance for Implementing COVID-19 Prevention Strategies in the Context of Varying Community Transmission Levels and Vaccination Coverage (Early Release July 27, 2021)

CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286

• Percentage of Adults Aged ≥18 Years with Fair or Poor Health, by Urbanization Level and Age Group — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2019

###

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.