Response to HBV vaccine in relation to vaccine dose and anti-HCV positivity: a New South Wales correctional facilities' study

Currently, about two-thirds of inmates in NSW correctional facilities have a history of injection drug use, and about half have serological evidence o f exposure to hepatitis C virus. The introduction of an accelerated hepatit is B vaccination program (0-1-2 months) in 1998, using a 20 mug/dose vaccin e was necessitated by the need to vaccinate eligible inmates in this high-r isk environment characterised by rapid client mobility. Since 1999, both 10 and 20 mug doses of vaccine were introduced. We found that sero-response r ates were not significantly influenced by HCV antibody status, but were sig nificantly lower in cohorts of inmates vaccinated with the 10 mug dose of v accine. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.