Objective:

To assess adherence to HBV vaccination recommendations among children and adolescents aged 3-17 years in Germany from 2014 to 2017, highlighting the importance of vaccination adherence for public health.

Key Findings:

• Vaccination coverage for HBV among children aged 3-17 years was assessed, focusing on the timing and spacing of doses, with specific percentages to illustrate findings.
• A gap was identified between DPT and HBV vaccination coverage, although this gap has been narrowing since 2015, with specific data points to support this.
• Adherence to vaccination recommendations varied by socio-demographic characteristics and utilization of preventive health services, with specific examples provided.

Interpretation:

The study highlights significant gaps in adherence to HBV vaccination guidelines, particularly regarding the timing and spacing of doses, indicating areas for improvement in vaccination strategies and their implications for public health.

Limitations:

• The study did not account for catch-up vaccinations or the completion of vaccination series in children who had not finished their vaccinations, which may underestimate true adherence.
• Data on adherence to recommendations regarding the timing of doses was limited, potentially affecting the reliability of the findings.

Conclusion:

Improving adherence to HBV vaccination guidelines is crucial for enhancing public health outcomes related to hepatitis B in Germany, suggesting specific strategies for improvement.