During Tuesday’s meeting, public health officials from the state and Chicago presented data about hepatitis B along with prevention efforts. Since at least 2018, the state has logged only one confirmed case of a newborn infected with hepatitis B.
“I think this is a testament to the vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis and follow-up practices that we have had in place,” said Dr. Jennifer Seo, a pediatric medical advisor at the Illinois Department of Public Health, who presented the data to the committee.
In Chicago, health officials use various measures ranging from lab reports to hospital records to birth certificates to identify which newborns could be exposed to hepatitis B, said Dr. Brian Borah, medical director at the Chicago Department of Public Health. He pointed out during his presentation of city data that about 43% of possible cases aren’t identified until after birth.
The demographics of Chicago babies at-risk of contracting hepatitis B has changed over the past decade. In 2015, Asians accounted for about 59% of hepatitis B exposed births, Borah told the committee. That figure decreased over time and last year African Americans accounted for the largest percentage — about 33% — of exposed births.
He noted those demographics differ in other parts of the state.
“Stressing the importance of local public health data to really engage with the needed communities and identify those who are most at risk in every corner of the state,” Borah said.
As members moved to vote on their recommendations, many expressed concern about what they could do to quell the confusion caused by the federal recommendations that will now contradict the state’s own vaccine guidance.
“I think confusion now is going to be the generalized state of being,” said Dr. Edward Linn, a committee member. “… The Illinois Department of [Public] Health and all professional societies should work really hard to constantly educate the public and providers to be able to answer these questions because the federal government agency has thrown it out there. It’s going to come bouncing back to us.”