At-birth immunisation against hepatitis B using a novel pre-filled immunisation device stored outside the cold chain

We evaluated the immunogenicity of hepatitis B (HB) vaccine in UniJect, a p re-filled, non-reusable injection device, stored at tropical temperatures f or up to one month and used to give the first dose of HE vaccine to newborn s. Infants in Tabanan district, Ball, Indonesia, were given their first dos e of HE vaccine with UniJect stored out of the cold chain, UniJect stored i n the cold chain; or standard syringe, needle and multidose vial stored in the cold chain. Subsequent doses were given by usual means and blood sample s drawn 4-6 weeks after the third dose. No significant differences were fou nd in seroconversion rates or geometric mean titres of HE surface antibody between the three groups. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.