Recombinant hepatitis B vaccine for prevention of hepatitis B infection.

ABSTRACT

Twenty-five resident doctors were given 1 ml (20 micrograms) of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine intramuscularly in the deltoid region at 0, 1 and 6 months. Seroconversion rates at 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 months were 8%, 48%, 64%, 96% and 100% respectively. Acceptability of the vaccine was 100%. The recombinant hepatitis B vaccine is safe and efficacious, with seroconversion rates comparable to the plasma derived vaccine, and has negligible side effects.