title: Experience with full-dose hepatitis B vaccine in Wellington Hospital staff.
abstract: Full-dose intramuscular hepatitis B vaccine was given to 42 staff in the dental and renal departments at Wellington Hospital. Immune levels of anti-HBs were obtained in 41 of 42 (98%) staff six months after the first dose of vaccine. In 3 of 38 (8%) staff given three doses of vaccine, anti-HBs levels fell to below the immune range 18 months after the first dose, and a fourth booster dose was given, with subsequent restoration of immune levels of anti-HBs. The commonest side-effect noticed was temporary soreness at the injection site, which occurred in 33% of doses. Two staff experienced positional vertigo after the first and second doses of vaccine, and the third dose was therefore omitted.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Humble
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Maddocks
mesh_terms: D003798:Dental Staff, Hospital; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D009520:New Zealand; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines