title: Immunisation of armed service medical personnel against hepatitis B infection.
abstract: Clinical and laboratory staff of the Army and RAF medical services at risk of acquiring infection with hepatitis B were immunised against the virus with a recombinant vaccine. Vaccine was administered in Service hospitals and medical centres located throughout the world. After a primary course of vaccine, 73% of personnel developed anti-HBs titres > or = 100 IU/L to hepatitis B surface antigen and were considered protected; 11% were non-responders (anti-HBs < 10 IU/l). A significantly higher proportion of females than males, and vaccinees under 40 years of age, produced a good response. Among those achieving a good response, antibody titres were higher in the younger age group and in females. After a fourth (booster) dose of vaccine, 87.2% of the poor responders and 37% non-responders, developed anti-HBs titres > or = 100 IU/L.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital, London.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Cumberland
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sloss
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Masterton
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sims
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines