WHEREAS Washington State has three times (30/100,000) the national rate of hepatitis A cases; and

WHEREAS hepatitis A is transmitted during periodic community-wide outbreaks in which rates are 50/100,000 or more; and

WHEREAS such community-wide outbreaks have significant economic impact on affected businesses, from lost wages and productivity, and from post-exposure prophylaxis; and

WHEREAS hepatitis A ranks second only to varicella in the number of cases of vaccine-preventable diseases occurring in the United States; and

WHEREAS there is a safe, highly effective vaccine against hepatitis A that is approved for persons aged two and older; and

WHEREAS the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that states with more than twice the national rate of hepatitis A cases commence routine childhood vaccination against hepatitis A; and

WHEREAS the Washington State Vaccine Advisory Committee recommends efforts to increase public and provider education and awareness about hepatitis A and the availability of a safe and effective vaccine; and

WHEREAS the Washington State Vaccine Advisory Committee recommends routine vaccination of children ages two to 18 who reside in areas with rates of hepatitis A of 20/100,000 or more, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Public Health Association (WSPHA) supports routine vaccination of children ages two to 18 against hepatitis A; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that WSPHA supports efforts to provide information about the safety, effectiveness and importance of hepatitis A vaccination, including use of its own communication vehicles.

Adopted by the vote of the Membership assembled at the 1999 Annual Business meeting of the Association, October 4, 1999 in Spokane, Washington.