title: The long-term efficacy of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine in babies born to carrier mothers.
abstract: The long-term efficacy of a childhood hepatitis B vaccination programme was evaluated. A total of 112 newborn babies of hepatitis B carrier mothers were given hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and a 10-microg three-dose regimen of plasma-derived vaccine administered at a conventional (0, 1, 6 months), delayed (2, 3, 8 months) or accelerated (0, 1, 2 months) schedule. The vaccinees were followed up to determine their anti-HBs status over a 16-year period. Upon completion of the vaccination schedules, 92.6% developed antibody against surface antigen (anti-HBs) seroconverion, the rate of which fell to 33.3% at year 16. The three schedules were equally effective in preventing chronic infection, with a protective efficacy of 88.9% from hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriage, compared with historical control. Vaccinees on the delayed schedule had a slightly higher seroconversion rate over years, and were better able to maintain an anti-HBs level of > or = 100 iu/L. Overall, a quarter demonstrated evidence of exposure to the virus, being positive for antibody against core antigen or HBsAg, or mounting a rise in anti-HBs during the follow-up period. We conclude that a three-dose hepatitis B vaccination regimen is generally effective in protecting newborns of hepatitis B carrier mothers from infection and chronic carriage. Booster is not needed even after 16 years of monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: B W Y
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Yeoh
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D014611:Vaccination; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014765:Viral Vaccines
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines; D014765:Viral Vaccines