The anti-HBs response after 2 different accelerated intradermal and intramuscular schemes for hepatitis B vaccination

To study early seroconversion rates after hepatitis B vaccination intramusc ular (i.m.) and low-dose intradermal (i.d.) vaccination was compared when g iven either according to the registered 0, 4, 8 weeks scheme (scheme ii), o r to an accelerated 0, 2, 6 weeks scheme (scheme B). Medical staff received either 2 mu g i.d. or 20 mu g i.m, of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, i n a non-randomized open trial, Two weeks after the third dose i.m. vaccinee s overall had significantly higher rates of protective anti-HBs levels (ant i-HBs greater than or equal to 10 IU/l), (23/30, 77%) compared with i.d. va ccinees (75/166, 45%) (p < 0.001). We conclude that when rapid protection a gainst hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is desirable, such as for post-exp osure prophylaxis, an accelerated low-dose i.d. vaccination schedule cannot be used.