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The immune response of healthy adults to a reduced dose of hepatitis B vaccine
Author(s) -
Szmuness Wolf,
Stevens Cladd E.,
Harley Edward J.,
Zang Edith A.,
Taylor Patricia E.,
Alter Harvey J.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.1890080206
Subject(s) - virology , immune system , immunology , hepatitis b vaccine , medicine , vaccination , hepatitis b , biology , hepatitis b virus , virus , hbsag
Three hundred thirty‐six medical personnel from hemodialysis centers were treated with three doses, 20 μg each, of the Merck hepatitis B vaccine (at 0, 1, and 6 months). Within 1 month after the first injection, 41% converted to anti‐HBs positivity; after the second injection the conversion rate rose to 80–90%; and after the booster, to 96–98%. The later rate remained unchanged during the 18‐month follow‐up period. Only 2.8% of those vaccinated did not respond to the vaccine. The patterns of immune responses to 20‐μg doses were found to be exactly the same as to 40‐μg doses. It is suggested that reduced doses of vaccine should be as efficacious as the larger ones.