Immunogenicity of a combined hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in Alaska Native infants.
Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib), prevalent diseases in Alaska Native infants, have been reduced 95% following universal vaccination. Therefore, we were interested in studying a new combined Hib and hepatitis B vaccine in this population.


METHODS
Healthy Alaska Native infants free from Hib and hepatitis B exposure were randomized into four groups, three with different lots of bivalent Hib and hepatitis B vaccine, and one with Hib and hepatitis B monovalent controls. The Hib component had 7.5 micrograms of polyribosylribitol phosphate polysaccharide (PRP) bound to 125 micrograms of Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane protein complex (OMP); the hepatitis B component was 5 micrograms of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen. The vaccines were given at 2 months, 4 months, and 12-15 months of age.


RESULTS
There were no differences in the responses to the bivalent compared to the monovalent controls except for a lower Hib anti-PRP level at 12-15 months in the bivalent recipients; this did not persist after the booster.


CONCLUSIONS
A combined Hib and hepatitis B vaccine appears immunogenic. The recommended schedule for the Hib component (PRP-OMP) of 2 months, 4 months, and 12-15 months appears to promote an optimal response to the hepatitis B component as well.
Petersen
K
K
Arctic Investigations Program, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
Bulkow
L
L
McMahon
B
B
Wainwright
R
R
Peters
H
H
D000413:Alaska; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D004930:Inuit; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; C104289:COMVAX; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate