Premium
Hepatitis B vaccine in the prevention of perinatally transmitted hepatitis B virus infections: Initial report of a study in the West Midlands of England
Author(s) -
Boxall Elizabeth H.,
Tarlow M. J.
Publication year - 1986
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.1890180307
Subject(s) - medicine , virology , hepatitis b virus , transmission (telecommunications) , hepatitis b , pediatrics , hepatitis b vaccine , vaccination schedule , antibody , virus , vaccination , immunology , immunization , hbsag , electrical engineering , engineering
Abstract A study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine in interrupting perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus from carrier mothers to their babies. A four‐dose schedule was used. Eight of nine babies of e antigen carrier mothers became actively immune when immunisations were started within 48 hr of birth. Effectiveness was reduced if immunisation was delayed. This report includes results from a total of 32 babies, the longest period of follow‐up being 2 years. The success of this scheme is comparable to that of more intensive prophylaxis of immunoglobulin either alone or combined with vaccine and should be seriously considered for the babies of all hepatitis B carrier mothers.