Immune responses to hepatitis B vaccination in hospital staff.

Hepatitis B vaccine (H. B. Vax), has been available for staff in the Portsmouth District Hospitals since 1983. Results from anti-HBs monitoring of recipients indicated high percentages of suboptimal responders and vaccine failures after three injections into the gluteal muscle. A single revaccination into the deltoid muscle boosted antibody status in suboptimal responders and should effect a more durable immunity in this situation.