Hepatitis B immunisation with a reduced number of doses in newborn babies and children.
74 healthy babies born to mothers positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were randomly divided at birth to receive either HB immunoglobulin and 2 doses of HB vaccine 2 months apart, or HB immunoglobulin and 3 doses of HB vaccine 1 month apart. 80 healthy babies born to HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HB core (c) negative mothers were randomly divided at birth to receive either 2 doses of vaccine 2 months apart or 3 doses 1 month apart. The seroconversion rates and the geometric means of anti-HBs titres were lower in both groups of babies given 2 doses of vaccine than in the groups given 3 doses. 60 pairs of children at risk, aged 1 to 12 years and HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc negative, were randomly divided to receive either the 2-dose regimen or the 3-dose regimen. The seroconversion rates and the geometric means of anti-HBs titres were satisfactory in both groups.
Piazza
M
M
Picciotto
L
L
Villari
R
R
Guadagnino
V
V
Orlando
R
R
Isabella
L
L
Macchia
V
V
Memoli
A M
AM
Vegnente
A
A
Borrelli
A M
AM
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines