SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT

The committee concludes that concerns about the hepatitis B vaccine remain significant in the minds of some parents and workers who are required to take the vaccine because of occupational risk.

PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE RECOMMENDATIONS

Policy Review

The committee does not recommend a policy review of the hepatitis B vaccine by any of the national and federal vaccine advisory bodies on the basis of concerns about demyelinating neurological disorders.

The committee recommends continued surveillance of hepatitis B disease and increased surveillance of secondary diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Basic and Clinical Science

The committee recommends continued research in animal and in vitro models, as well as in humans, on the mechanisms of immune-mediated neurological disease possibly associated with exposure to vaccines.

Communication

The committee again recommends that government agencies and professional organizations responsible for immunizations critically evaluate their communication services with increased understanding of, and input from, the intended users.