Serologic response to hepatitis B vaccine in children receiving multiple blood transfusions

Three doses of the commercially available hepatitis B vaccine were administered to each of 43 anti-hepatitis B surface antigen antibody-negative children (including 32 hemophiliacs) who were regularly receiving blood product transfusions. Forty-two (98%) of them had demonstrable anti-hepatitis B surface antigen antibody in their serum, indicating that this group of patients responds favorably to the vaccine.