Immunisation Practices is correct in recommending infants Island wide be vaccinated against the Hepatitis B virus, but said the HBV vaccination itself is nothing new.

"The (Atlanta-based Center for Disease Control) recommended the universal immunisation of infants with HBV in November of 1991, and the vaccine itself has been around since 1982,'' Dr. Bente Lundh yesterday told The Royal Gazette .

"Our office has been issuing the vaccination for a while,'' said Dr. Lundh, who practices out of the offices of Dr. Peter Perinchief at 27 Point Finger Road. "To date I think we've immunised over 3000 children with it. We've basically been following the American recommendations.'' She said a press release by Government Information Services advising of the "new'' immunisation schedule -- carried in yesterday's issue of The Royal Gazette -- appeared to be causing anxiety among some parents.

"I'd like to see some clarification; this is not a new vaccine. It's been around a while. What is new,'' she said, "is universal (HBV) immunisation here on Bermuda.''