Cheaper immunisation against hepatitis B
Greenfield, C.; Osidiana, V.O.; Tukei, P.M.; Musoke, R.; Mati, J.; Loucq, C.; Fritzell, B.; Thomas, H.C.
East African Medical Journal 63(1): 3-12
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 3709388 Document Number: 270408
In areas of the world with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection active intervention should take place in early life in the long term consequences of HBV are to be prevented. Unfortunately the countries that most need HBV vaccines are the ones that can least afford it. We decided to try and lower the cost of vaccination by reducing the dosage and also to adapt the vaccination protocol to the Expanded Programme of Immunisation of Kenya. In a trial of over 300 newborn Africans Hevac B Pasteur was well tolerated and no untoward side effects were reported. 1 ugm of the vaccine given intradermally achieved a 90% seroconversion rate similar to the conventional 5 ugm dosage which has proven efficacy. However, the antibody titres were much lower with the intradermal compared to the intramuscular administered vaccine (GMT RIA units 528 vs 3981) (P = 0.0001) and so too, by inference, may be the long term protection from HBV infection.