Hepatitis B vaccine: immune responses in haemodialysis patients

Antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) developed within six months in 80% of haemodialysis patients given either two or three 40 micrograms doses of hepatitis B vaccine. A total of 89% had anti-HBs after a booster dose given six months later. Anti-HBs titres were higher in patients who received three initial doses than in those who received only two doses, but the proportion of anti-HBs-positive patients was the same in the two groups. Male patients became anti-HBs positive less often than females and their antibody titres were lower.