Booster immunization of low- and non-responders after a standard three dose hepatitis B vaccine schedule - Results of a post-marketing surveillance

Seventy-nine low-responders and 83 non-responders after a previous three-dose hepatitis B (HE) vaccine course at 0, 1, and 6 months were enrolled to receive additional 20 mu g recombinant HE vaccine doses every 2 months until all had anti-HBs levels greater than or equal to 100 mIU ml(-1). After the first booster, 65.4% had anti-HBs levels greater than or equal to 100 mIU ml(-1), 17.9% were low-responders (10-99 mIU ml(-1)), and 16.7% remained non-responders (<10 mIU ml(-1)). All complying non-responders developed anti-HBs levels greater than or equal to 100 mIU ml(-1) after the third booster at the latest, whereas all low-responders reached this level after the second booster. Although body mass index affected the response to the first hepatitis B booster, when full compliance to regular revaccination was ensured, all non- and low-responders eventually reached sufficient anti-HBs levels. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.