Hepatitis B vaccine in the EPI schedule
Jain, A.Kumar.; Mittal, S.K.; Ramji, S.; Chakravarti, A.
Indian Journal of Pediatrics 72(8): 661-664
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5456 PMID: 16131770 DOI: 10.1007/bf02724073Document Number: 256690
Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the adequacy of seroconversion when Hepatitis B vaccine is given along with other vaccines at 0, 6 weeks (along with DPT and OPV) and at 9 months (along with measles). Methods: 725 infants born to apparently healthy mothers were enrolled to receive the hepatitis B vaccine at 0, 6 weeks and 9 months (Group A) or at 0, 1 and 6 months as per WHO schedule - (Group B). Baseline HbsAg testing was carried out and the babies were immunized with the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 48 hours of birth. BCG and the other EPI vaccines were given as per schedule. Serum samples were collected 4 weeks after the second and the third immunizations. 604 infants (83.3%) completed the study. The testing for HbsAg and Anti Hbs titers were conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi utilizing standard ELISA kits. Results : The seroconversion rates 4 weeks after the second dose of the vaccine were 90.89% (GMT = 48.23) and 91.82% (GMT = 43.95) (P=0.8) in Group A and Group B respectively. After 4 weeks of the third dose the. seroconversion rates were 98.99 (GMT = 161.12) and 98.45 (GMT = 150.12) (p=0.17) in Group A and Group B respectively. The two schedules were comparable on using the Kruskal-Wallis H method for analysis. Conclusion : The schedule of hepatitis B vaccination at 0, 6 weeks and 9 months has the same seroefficacy as the currently recommended schedule of 0, 1 and 6 months.
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