HBV-vaccination in recipients of kidney allografts

Recipients of renal transplants were vaccinated with 20 ng hepatitis B surface antigen aluminium-adsorbed vaccine in order to gauge their resistance to hepatitis B infection, to which these patients are at high risk. The patients were given three 40 micrograms doses of the vaccine over a period of six months and their antibody titres were measured. Only 9% of patients developed antibodies to hepatitis B and it was established that if possible all patients should receive at least one injection of hepatitis B vaccine prior to surgery.