Bmc Fam Pract
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Influenza vaccination policy for elderly people in Britain has changed twice since 1997 to increase protection against influenza but there is no information available on how this has affected vaccine uptake, and socioeconomic variation therein, among people aged over 74 years. ⋯ Increased uptake in 2000 may have resulted from the additional financial resources given to practices; it was not at the expense of more disadvantaged socioeconomic groups but nor did they benefit disproportionately.
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Comparative Study
Searching for chronic hepatitis B patients in a low prevalence area--role of racial origin.
Clinical studies for testing new drugs against hepatitis B ought to be carried out in low prevalence areas despite difficulties on patient recruitment. In such areas, relatives of chronic hepatitis B patients are considered to be at risk of acquiring the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HBV markers (anti-HBc, HBsAg and anti-HBs) in familial members of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients according to their origin (Asian or Western) in a low prevalence area, the city of São Paulo, Brazil. ⋯ In low prevalence area of hepatitis B, family members and household contacts of chronic HBV carriers are at high risk for acquiring hepatitis B.