title: Immunization with high-dose intradermal recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in healthcare workers who failed to respond to intramuscular vaccination.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To achieve immunity to hepatitis B in healthcare workers who failed to respond to intramuscular vaccination and boosters.
  
  
  METHODS
  An open prospective study of intradermal vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.
  
  
  METHODS
  A large community hospital in Connecticut.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthcare workers including physicians, nurses, and laboratory workers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunization with high-dose intradermal recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, given in up to four doses, achieved immunity in 88% of healthcare workers who had previously been nonimmune.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that intradermal vaccination is efficacious in the majority of healthcare workers who failed to respond to intramuscular vaccine. Further studies, including randomized comparisons with intramuscular vaccine as well as studies of cell-mediated immunity, appear warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Hartford Hospital, CT 06102, USA.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Levitz
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Regan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic