title: [Combined hepatitis A/B vaccination: evaluation of a vaccination schedule in facilities for handicapped people].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  People with mental and physical disabilities have a higher risk of infection with hepatitis viruses. Studies conducted so far show contradictory results on the success of vaccination in this population. These people live and work under special conditions and sometimes have immune defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the antibody response after combined vaccination against hepatitis A and B in facilities for handicapped people in the city of Essen/Germany. Antibodies were determined in people with disabilities (n=949) and also in social workers taking care of handicapped people (n=115).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Protective antibodies against hepatitis A were detected in 98.9% in people with disabilities and social workers. The seroconversion rate against hepatitis B in handicapped people was 90.2% and was comparable to the seroconversion rate in social workers (91.3%). Re-vaccinations were offered to all people with anti-HBs titres below 100 IU/L (28% of handicapped and 23.5% of social workers). In the group of low responders in handicapped people about 50% developed anti-HBs concentration above 100 IU/L. Non-responders showed 30-40% seroconversion rate after re-vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on this study we would recommend serological tests about 4-8 weeks after vaccination to confirm seroconversion. By this procedure people who need a booster vaccination will be recognized and non-responders should be offered another HBV vaccination. In about 20% of the non-responders included in this study HBs antigen was detected.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Virologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wolters
authors.affiliation: Institut für Virologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Institut für Virologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: Gesundheitsamt der Stadt Essen.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kundt
authors.affiliation: Institut für Virologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roggendorf
authors.affiliation: Institut für Virologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roggendorf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D008875:Middle Aged; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017778:Vaccines, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D017778:Vaccines, Combined