title: Very-low-dose hepatitis B vaccine in newborn infants: an economic option for control in endemic areas.
abstract: Three 1 microgram or 2 micrograms doses of Merck, Sharp and Dohme plasma vaccine were given to 119 infants of mothers negative for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). Anti-HBs antibodies developed in 25/29 (86%) infants given 1 microgram and in 86/90 (96%) given 2 micrograms doses. Levels of anti-HBs achieved by three 2 micrograms doses were similar to those that have been reported for conventional 10 micrograms doses. Similar levels were recorded from infants of anti-HBs-positive mothers, which suggests that maternal antibody does not interfere with the infant's immune response to low doses of vaccine. Three 2 micrograms doses of vaccine in infancy produce satisfactory immunogenicity and make possible economic control of hepatitis B in endemic areas.
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State / Q000517:prevention & control; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009520:New Zealand; D011247:Pregnancy; D011897:Random Allocation; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics*; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines