Simultaneous administration of Hepatitis B vaccine with other E.P.I. vaccines

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Abstract
Development of recombinant DNA vaccine against hepatitis B grown on cultured yeast cell has made it possible to mount a world-wide effort to control and eradicate Hepatitis B infection. However, the currently recommended schedules (0, 1 & 2 months, and 0–1 and 6 months) do not coincide with the scheduled visits for other E.P.I. vaccines, and necessitate additional visits for Hepatitis B vaccination. This study was therefore carried out to find out if adequate seroconversion occurs to Hepatitis B vaccine when given with other EPI vaccines or not? Thirty nine infants born to Australia antigen positive mothers from among 850 screened pregnant mothers were recruited to receive Hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix B-10 micro gram each) at 0, 6 and 14 wks (group A) or at 0, 1 and 2 months (group B). Thirty-one infants were recruited in group A and 8 in group B. The cord blood was collected and the first dose of vaccine was given within 48 hours of birth. Simultaneous B.C.G. was given at the left deltoid. Other E.P.I. vaccines were given qt 6, 10 and 14 wks in group A and at 2, 3 and 4 months in group B. Repeat blood samples were collected prior to giving each dose of Hepatitis B vaccine, and 4 weeks after the last dose. All blood samples were assayed for HBsAg and HBsAb at the National Institute Of Communicable Diseases, utilizing standard ELISA kits. The seroconversion rates following one, two and three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine were 3.33%, 55.5%, 96.15% and 0%, 62.5% and 100% in group A and B respectively. Only one infant in group A failed to develop HbsAb even after 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine, 5 infants in group A were available at 9 months of age and were still positive for HBsAb and negative for HBsAg. Recombinant DNA Hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B) is a highly effective vaccine which can safely and effectively be given together with other childhood vaccines.