Results of immunisation with a recombinant yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine

Recombinant hepatitis B virus vaccine was used to immunise groups of healthy adults, dialysis patients, staff of dialysis units and newborn infants. Seroconversion rates, mean titres and decay curves were similar to those induced by plasma-derived vaccine, including somewhat lower responses by dialysis patients. Response to recombinant vaccine was slightly delayed compared to plasma-derived vaccine, but otherwise the recombinant vaccine promises to be at least as effective as plasma-derived vaccine.