ACCELERATED SCHEDULE OF HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION IN HIGH-RISK YOUTH

Citation
Se. Wilkinson et al., ACCELERATED SCHEDULE OF HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION IN HIGH-RISK YOUTH, Journal of paediatrics and child health, 32(1), 1996, pp. 60-62
Citations number
15
Categorie Soggetti
Pediatrics
ISSN journal
10344810
Volume
32
Issue
1
Year of publication
1996
Pages
60 - 62
Database
ISI
SICI code
1034-4810(1996)32:1<60:ASOHVI>2.0.ZU;2-M
Abstract
Objective: To perform a feasibility and immunogenicity study of an acc elerated schedule of hepatitis B immunization for high-risk youth. Met hodology: High-risk adolescents attending a youth health centre and ne arby youth refuges were immunized with Engerix-B recombinant vaccine, 20 mu g intramuscularly, at 0, 2 and 6 weeks. Serology was performed p rior to immunization and 3 months after the third dose. Results: Forty -two subjects (27 female) aged 13-20 years entered the study. Two (4.8 %), already hepatitis B virus (HBV) seropositive, were excluded. Thirt y-six of 40 subjects had one or more risk factors for HBV. Participant s were often elusive, needing multiple attempts to establish contact. Twenty (50%) of the 40 completed three immunizations and all 14 studie d developed anti-hepatitis B surface titres of >100mIU/mL (geometric m ean titre 630 mIU/mL, 95% confidence intervals 309-1290). Conclusion: High-risk youth can be immunized against hepatitis B successfully usin g an accelerated schedule, but compliance is difficult.