Effectiveness of low-dose intradermal hepatitis B vaccination. Five years' experience of primary vaccination.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether intradermal hepatitis B vaccination is an effective procedure.


METHODS
A study of antibody responses to hepatitis B vaccine in 753 medical students.


METHODS
Routine vaccination of medical students with intradermal doses of hepatitis B vaccines of various origins.


METHODS
Rates of seroconversion and geometric mean levels of antibody achieved.


RESULTS
Seroconversion rates, indicated by antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) levels of 10 mIU/mL or more, varied between 82% and 94.7% with different preparations of the vaccine. With a four-dose intradermal schedule over two successive cohorts, Engerix-B (SmithKline Beecham) gave better responses, in this context, than H-B-Vax II (Merck Sharp & Dohme). Any reactions to the vaccination were mild and local.


CONCLUSIONS
The intradermal route is a practical method of vaccination against hepatitis B in healthy young adults when the cost of the vaccine is an inhibiting factor.
Thompson
S C
SC
Health and Community Services, Infectious Diseases Program, Melbourne, Vic.
Darlington
R
R
Tallent
D
D
Robins-Browne
R
R
Forsyth
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008297:Male; D013337:Students, Medical; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic