Immunological response to two hepatitis B vaccines administered in two different schedules.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antibody response to a plasma derived hepatitis B vaccine containing pre-S and S antigens and a recombinant vaccine containing only S antigen and compare the two vaccines in 0, 1, 2 and 0, 1, 6, schedules METHODS: One hundred fifty nine healthy infants were randomized to receive the vaccines in two different schedules. Anti HBs titers were estimated prior to the vaccination and then one-month following the second and third doses. RESULTS: Both the vaccines produced a high rate of seroconversion and seroprotection. The antibody response was similar with both the vaccines and the 0, 1, 6, schedule induced a significantly higher antibody level than the 0, 1, 2, schedule. CONCLUSION: 0, 1, 6 schedule produces a higher antibody level than 0, 1, 2 schedule though both the schedules have good seroconversion and seroprotection rates with both the vaccines.