Hepatitis B is a well recognized occupational hazard of health care workers, which can
be prevented by vaccination. Recombinant hepatitis B (rHB) vaccine (Alert Sharp and
Do/tine MSD) was given to Volunteers wortng at national Cancer Mstiteute, Cairo. E,gypt
in 2 schedules over one year period from(01-01-1993). The first group (247) were vaccinated
with !Ogg / ml) at 0,1 and 6 month. While the second group (121) were vaccinated
with reduced does (5 pg / tuna/ O. 1, 6 and 8 months. After the third dose the seroconversion
rate in the first group (92.3 %) was higher than that of the sect& group 84.3 % which
sign(ficantly improved to (96.7%) after the fourth dose. Similarly. the Geometric Mean Titre
(GMT) of anti Ills was higher in the first group (305 IU/L) than that of the second
group (235 Mk) which improved and became (296 IU / L). There was no significant dif-
•ference between the 2 schedules concerning both seroconversion rate and level of anti
In addition there was a significant reduction in percentage of non responders Lifter
the fourth dose (P < 0.05) compared to non responders from (15.7%) after their third dose
to 3.3%) after the fourth one. A better response (seroconversion rate. level of anti -
with lower cost was observed with half the dose (5pg /nil) given in 4 injections. The study
recommend the use of the 4 dose schedule. |
