title: Mass vaccination against hepatitis B in preschool children: immunogenicity after three reduced doses.
abstract: The immunising effect of three reduced doses of Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) H-B Vax plasma derived vaccine delivered at monthly intervals was evaluated in 1225 four year old children. Eighteen children had evidence of previous or current infection with HBV. Of the remaining 1207 children, 1186 (98.3%) had antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) when tested by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Levels of anti-HBs in 96 randomly selected sera were independently quantitated by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and all were positive for anti-HBs, with a geometric mean titre of 1013. There was no significant difference in seroconversion or anti-HBs levels between the groups of children nationwide. In 19 of the 39 centres, seroconversion was 100%. No centre had less than 92% seroconversion. This study confirms that three 2 microgram doses of MSD H-B Vax plasma derived vaccine given intramuscularly (IM) at monthly intervals are highly immunogenic in this paediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Hepatitis Research Unit, Whakatane Hospital.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milne
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Moyes
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waldon
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krugman
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D008403:Mass Screening; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000592:standards; D012494:Sampling Studies; D014611:Vaccination; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines