title: Immunogenicity of low-dose intradermal recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine.
abstract: Low-dose intradermal vaccination with plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine has been shown to give high rates of seroconversion at greatly reduced vaccine cost. We report a study comparing two groups given lower doses (1.0 or 1.5 microgram) of recombinant-derived vaccine intradermally with a control group given the standard intramuscular dose. Of the 132 randomized medical students and hospital employees, 95 completed the study. Rates of seroconversion and peak antibody titers were comparable, though antibody rose more slowly and fell somewhat faster in the intradermal groups. Increasing the intradermal dose did not improve response. Most intradermal vaccinees (80%) developed small (average 2 to 3 mm) areas of local induration, which faded slowly. Low-dose intradermal vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine results in high rates of seroconversion (greater than 90% in each protocol) at a cost that will allow individual practitioners and program with limited budgets to offer vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon 31208.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Parish
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Muecke
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Joiner
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Pope
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hadler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007271:Injections, Intradermal / Q000009:adverse effects; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines