title: Immunogenicity of hepatitis B virus vaccine in healthy Chinese neonates.
abstract: The immunogenicity of hepatitis B virus vaccine was studied in 38 Chinese neonates, 23 of whom were healthy and susceptible and 15 of whom had passive serum antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). Initially, each infant received two 20-micrograms doses of vaccine by the intramuscular route, with a one-month interval between doses. No adverse reactions occurred, and all susceptible neonates had a brisk antibody response that was comparable to that in older infants and children and superior to that in adults. The first dose of vaccine stimulated the production of anti-HBs within one month in 48% of the neonates. Anti-HBs was detectable in the serum of 91% of the vaccinees at the age of three months--that is, two months after the second dose. By the age of six months, 96% of vaccinees had detectable anti-HBs in their serum. All vaccinees developed anti-HBs after a third dose was administered at the age of seven months. High levels of anti-HBs were sustained after vaccination in infants who initially had passive antibodies.
mesh_terms: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014765:Viral Vaccines