The anti-HBs response after 2 different accelerated intradermal and intramuscular schemes for hepatitis B vaccination

To study early seroconversion rates after hepatitis B vaccination intramuscular (i.m.) and low-dose intradermal (i.d.) vaccination was compared when given either according to the registered 0, 4, 8 weeks scheme (scheme ii), or to an accelerated 0, 2, 6 weeks scheme (scheme B). Medical staff received either 2 mu g i.d. or 20 mu g i.m, of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, in a non-randomized open trial, Two weeks after the third dose i.m. vaccinees overall had significantly higher rates of protective anti-HBs levels (anti-HBs greater than or equal to 10 IU/l), (23/30, 77%) compared with i.d. vaccinees (75/166, 45%) (p < 0.001). We conclude that when rapid protection against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is desirable, such as for post-exposure prophylaxis, an accelerated low-dose i.d. vaccination schedule cannot be used.