Immunological response to two hepatitis B vaccines administered in two different schedules.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the antibody response to a plasma derived hepatitis B vaccine containing pre-S and S antigens and a recombinant vaccine containing only S antigen and compare the two vaccines in 0, 1, 2 and 0, 1, 6, schedules

METHODS

One hundred fifty nine healthy infants were randomized to receive the vaccines in two different schedules. Anti HBs titers were estimated prior to the vaccination and then one-month following the second and third doses.

RESULTS

Both the vaccines produced a high rate of seroconversion and seroprotection. The antibody response was similar with both the vaccines and the 0, 1, 6, schedule induced a significantly higher antibody level than the 0, 1, 2, schedule.

CONCLUSION

0, 1, 6 schedule produces a higher antibody level than 0, 1, 2 schedule though both the schedules have good seroconversion and seroprotection rates with both the vaccines.