BACKGROUND:
The number of persons newly infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the United States has declined dramatically following the licensure of hepatitis B vaccine. However, nearly 80,000 persons still become infected with HBV each year, mostly young adults for whom vaccination rates remain low. The most effective method of vaccinating adults and adolescents at risk of HBV infection is to integrate hepatitis B vaccination into programs offering services to these individuals, such as school-based health centers, STD clinics, correctional facilities, and HIV counseling and testing centers. Many of these alternative settings do not have vaccination experience, and need encouragement and training to offer such services.

OBJECTIVE:
To present methods and resources used by programs already successfully providing hepatitis B vaccination to at-risk adolescents and young adults in alternative settings.

METHOD:
Investigate the methods, procedures, available resources, and results from a dozen model programs listed on the www.hepprograms.org website.

RESULT:
Many model programs already exist, including those providing hepatitis B vaccine to adolescents in juvenile detention facilities, STD clinics, school-based programs, harm reduction programs, clinics for gay and bisexual men, and family planning clinics. The methods used by these successful programs can be adapted by others. Free or low-cost resources on vaccine handling, storage, and administration are available for facilities wanting to begin vaccination programs, including manuals, websites, adult record cards, videos, and print materials.

CONCLUSION:
Dozens of model programs for hepatitis B vaccination in alternative settings already have shown that integration of services is possible and cost-effective. Resources are available for those facilities wanting to learn how to provide vaccination services to adolescents and adults.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1) Learn about programs that have successfully integrated hepatitis B vaccination into various alternative settings, 2) Learn about available resources for facilities wishing to implement vaccination services.