[Immune prophylaxis against hepatitis B virus].

Hepatitis-B infections can be prevented by vaccination. Although a safe and efficacious plasma-derived vaccine has been available in Denmark since 1983, only approximately 7,000 persons have been vaccinated. This was among other things due to an unwarranted suspicion that the vaccine could harbour HIV. A new hepatitis B vaccine produced by a recombinant yeast cell is without this stigma and the vaccine is cheaper. It is now time for an assessment of hepatitis B vaccination of employees and intensification of vaccination programs for high-risk persons. Screening procedures, vaccination schedules, efficacy studies and follow up programs are reviewed. Prospectives for new hepatitis B vaccines are described.