[Safety and immunogenicity of an anti-hepatitis-B vaccine obtained using the recombinant DNA technique: results of a longitudinal study in hospital personnel].

A prospective study of the immunogenicity, safety and persistence of antibodies induced by the DNA-recombinant anti-hepatitis B vaccine Engerix B was conducted in a risk group as health care workers. 115 health care workers were randomly allocated into two groups. Immunization was carried out according to a 0-1-6 month vaccination schedule in one group and to a 0-1-2-12 month schedule in the other group. Results indicate that the DNA-recombinant anti-hepatitis B vaccine is well tolerated and highly immunogenic. Reactogenicity to the vaccine was low in incidence and mild in severity with no significant difference appearing between the study groups.