A Simplified Schedule to Integrate the Hepatitis B Vaccine into an Expanded Program of Immunization in Endemic Countries
Resource
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS v.130 pp.981-986
Journal
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
Journal Volume
v.130
Pages
981-986
Date Issued
1997
Date
1997
Author(s)
LEE, CHIN-YUN
LEE, PING-ING
HUANG, LI-MIN
CHEN, CHUNG-MING
CHANG, MEI-HWEI
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of a simplified hepatitis B vaccination schedule. Methods: The second dose of hepatitis B vaccine and the first dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis(DTP ) vaccine were given simulfaneously at age 6 weeks. The second dose of DTP vaccine was given at age 3.5 months. The third dose of DTP vaccine and the third dose of hepatitis B vaccine were given at age 5.5 months. One hundred three infants (group A) born to mothers without hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg_ received DTP with whole-cell pertussis vaccine. Fifty-five infants(group B) born to mothers with HBsAg and hepatitis B e antigen received DTP with acellular pertussis vaccine. Results: By age 9 months, none of group A and 4 (7%) group B infants were seropositive for HBsAg. The protective efficacy against the hepatitis B carrier state in these infants at high risk was 92%. Antibody to hepatatitis B surface antigen was 10mIU/ml or greater in 99 (96%) of group A infants and in 50 ( 91%) of group B infants. Both the acellular and whole-cell DTP vaccines were immunogenic, and the incidences of adverse reactions were within an expected and acceptable range. Conclusions : The simplified vaccination schedule to integrate the hepatitis B vaccine into the Expanded Programme of Immunization was safe, immunogenic, and effective. This schedule may improve vaccine compliance and be applied to DTP and hepatitis B combination vaccines now under investigation.
SDGs
Type
journal article