DOS Adoption Notice: CDC Recommendations Relating to Intercountry Adoption, Hepatitis

DOS Notice for Intercountry Adoptions:
CDC and Prevention Recommendations

November 18, 2009

On Hepatitis A Vaccinations and Hepatitis B Screening

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends hepatitis A immunization for household members (including babysitters or anyone who anticipates close personal contact) with arriving intercountry adoptees from countries where hepatitis A is prevalent. For more information from the CDC click on: Updated Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for Use of Hepatitis A Vaccine in Close Contacts of Newly Arriving International Adoptees

Screening for hepatitis B is recommended for persons (including adopted children) who were born in geographic regions where the disease is common. For more information from the CDC click on:

“Recommendations for Routine Testing and Follow-up for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection” http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/PDFs/ChronicHepBTestingFlwUp.pdf

“International Adoptions”http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-7/international-adoptions.aspx

Under current law, children adopted from countries with which the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption is in force for the United States are required to present documentation of having received certain required vaccinations and screenings, including hepatitis B.

More information about hepatitis A and B and specific guidelines is available at http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/

http://adoption.state.gov/visas/Hep%20A%20vaccinations%20&%20Hep%20B%20screening.html

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