Immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in newborns.
Three injections of 10 microgram/ml hepatitis B vaccine (Merck) given in the first week after birth, a month later and again at the age of six months to 63 neonates in a rural African population, elicited an antibody response in 93 per cent. The initial hepatitis B marker status of the babies and mothers did not influence the results at nine months. Side-effects were minor and we conclude that the vaccine can effectively and safely be used from birth in endemic situations.
D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D013019:South Africa; D014611:Vaccination; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D014765:Viral Vaccines