title: Duration of hepatitis B antibody response in children immunised with hepatitis B and compulsory vaccines.
abstract: Twenty four subjects were simultaneously administered DT toxoids, OPV and HBV vaccines at the age of 3, 4-5 and 11 months and then followed up for 2 and 4 years in order to evaluate the duration of the immune response and the need and the timing of HBV revaccination. A fall in anti-HBs titre below 10 mIU/ml was observed at the follow up in 4/24 (16.7%) of the subjects. In other 5 children (20.8%) anti-HBs titre was found to be just above 10 mIU/ml. This would suggest that a revaccination is indicated and it could be performed at the age of 5-6 years when children enter school. This schedule is simple, effective and money saving since it reduces the cost/benefit ratio and the number of visits for immunisations, and it is expected to improve the compliance for the vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pediatrics, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li Volti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giammanco-Bilancia
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giammanco
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mollica
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D022422:Diphtheria-Tetanus Vaccine; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000191:economics; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007117:Immunization, Secondary / Q000191:economics; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy; D009819:Office Visits / Q000191:economics; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics; D017778:Vaccines, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D022422:Diphtheria-Tetanus Vaccine; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D017778:Vaccines, Combined