In October 1996, the Hepatitis B Action Group of the National Coalition for Adult Immunization distributed a Hepatitis B Adolescent School Entry Requirement Needs Assessment to all state hepatitis B coordinators and immunization program managers.

The goal of the needs assessment was to identify those states which have implemented a hepatitis B immunization requirement for adolescent-age students and who would be willing to share insights into the process with other states. A secondary goal was to gather information from the states so that the action group could better serve state officials and help to promote the immunization requirement agenda. To date, 48 states and territories have completed and returned the questionnaire.

Officials from seven states responded that they did have an immunization requirement for adolescents and would be very happy to share this information with their colleagues in other states. Overwhelmingly, the states' request for technical assistance focused on educational materials to inform key decision-makers about the importance of universal adolescent immunization. Interest in model language for adolescent school-entry requirements was also requested, as well as a how-to manual based on other states' success in implementing such a requirement. This information will be invaluable as the action group begins implementing its activities for the upcoming year.

The action group has also designed three hepatitis B fact sheets. The fact sheets provide information on hepatitis B infection, who is at risk, as well as vaccine availability to protect against the disease. The three fact sheets addressed to adolescents, high-risk adults, and health care providers who work with these populations can be ordered separately or as a set of three. A sample set is available free of charge and can be ordered via mail, fax at (301) 907-0878, or e-mail: adultimm@aol.com. There is a postage fee of $6.00 per 100 for bulk orders. All bulk orders must be pre-paid and should be sent to HBAG/NFID, Hepatitis B Fact Sheets, 4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 750, Bethesda, MD 20814. Please be sure to indicate which fact sheets you are ordering.

The Hepatitis B Action Group is sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. For information on Hepatitis B Action Group activities including the results of the needs assessment, contact Brenda Nicely at (301) 656-0003 or by e-mail: bmenicely@aol.com.

To receive a free, single copy of the 1997 guide, write to NCAI Resource Guide, 4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 750, Bethesda, MD 20814-5228; fax a note to (301) 907-0878; or e-mail a request to adultimm@aol.com. There is a postage fee for multiple copies.