LOW-DOSE HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION IN CHILDREN

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  • 12 February 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 99  (795) , 47-49
Abstract
One hundred and sixty-nine children negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs), were given three doses of hepatitis B vaccine at monthly intervals. Doses were two .mu.g or four .mu.g given intradermally (ID) or intramuscularly (IM). All children were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBs and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) one month after the secod dose of vaccine. Overall, 74% of children on two .mu.g doses and 71% of children on four .mu.g doses responded to two doses of vaccine by the production of anti-HBs. At this point, mass immunisation of other susceptible children was commenced. Four of 92 (4%) three to five year old subjects and 20 of 77 (26%) nine to 12 years olds were found to be anti-HBc positive alone, indicating prior infection. All 77 older children were further tested two months after the third dose of vaccine. All 20 who were anti-HBc positive, sero-converted for anti-HBs. Of the remaining 57, 52 (91%) produced anti-HBs at acceptable geometric mean titres (GMT). Three doses of two .mu.g of H-B-VAX, given at monthly intervals were chosen for mass vaccination of high risk susceptible children in this mobile community, providing over 90% sero-conversion at low cost with a minimum of side effects.

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