Vaccine choice and program participation rates when two hepatitis B vaccines are offered.
Participation rates of health care workers in voluntary free hepatitis B virus immunization programs are 35% to 40%. University teaching hospital employees at risk for hepatitis B virus and presenting for immunization were surveyed as to vaccine preference. Both plasma-derived and recombinant hepatitis B virus vaccines were available. During a 10-month period, 173 health care workers enrolled in the study. One hundred seventeen received recombinant vaccine, and 56 received plasma-derived vaccine; 66 were immunized postexposure. Concern of a relationship of human immunodeficiency virus to hepatitis B virus plasma-derived vaccine was acknowledged by a small number of health care workers as important in vaccine selection. Recombinant hepatitis B virus vaccine rapidly and substantially supplanted plasma-derived vaccine but did not increase program participation. We suspect that mandatory immunization or proof of immunity will be necessary if hepatitis B virus protection rates in health care workers are to improve.
Harris
A A
AA
Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Ill. 60612.
Daly-Gawenda
D
D
Hudson
E K
EK
D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012307:Risk Factors; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines