Reinforced intradermal hepatitis B vaccination in hemodialysis patients is superior in antibody response to intramuscular or subcutaneous vaccination.

Since 1960, hepatitis B virus-associated chronic liver disease has been considered an important problem in dialysis units in both Europe and North America. Separate dialysis facilities for hepatitis B-infected patients, the implementation of universal precautions for the prevention of transmission, and the active immunization against hepatitis B have now reduced the yearly incidence to less than 0.05% in Western countries. However, only 50% to 60% of patients with renal insufficiency develop sufficient immune response after intramuscular hepatitis B vaccination. The aim of the current study was to determine whether the mode of vaccine application plays a role in vaccination response and whether increasing the vaccine dose of primary intradermal hepatitis B vaccination can reduce the number of vaccine injections in hemodialysis patients. We designed a prospective, randomized study of antibody responses to hepatitis B vaccine given intradermally, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly in 81 hemodialysis patients. Outcome measures were rates of seroconversion, mean levels of anti-Hbs antibodies, and antibody levels 8 years after vaccination. The results show that intradermal hepatitis B vaccination response with a higher vaccination dose than previously used in hemodialysis patients is superior to conventional intramuscular and subcutaneous vaccination and is also well tolerated. Five intradermal injections of 20 microg each induced the development of sufficient anti-Hbs antibody titer, which persisted in 70% of the patients over 3 years.