[Vaccination against hepatitis B virus at the Lyon Pasteur Institute. A seven-year evaluation]

Results of immunization against hepatitis B among Pasteur Institute staff members are reported. Prior to immunization, 439 subjects were tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers, including HBs antigen, anti-HBs antibody, and anti-HBc antibody (Ausria, Ausab, Corab assays; Abbott). Forty-seven subjects tested positive for anti-HBs antibody. 317 subjects negative for all the HBs markers studied were given three intramuscular doses of Hevac B (Pasteur vaccins) at one-month intervals. Anti-HBs antibodies were assayed after the third injection with the following results: mean titer, 1,454 mIU/ml, standard deviation, 5,349 mIU/ml, and range, 4 to 41,100 mIU/ml. Anti-HBs titers above 10 mIU/ml were found in 879.4% of subjects. Non-responders and weak responders (anti-HBs titer under 10 mIU/ml) were given a fourth dose of vaccine. Ultimately, after the last (third of fourth) injection 97.6% of subjects had protective antibody titers. No case of HBV infection was seen during the seven-year follow-up period.