[Vaccination against hepatitis B]

Current epidemiological problems, world strategy for vaccination as outlined in the Expanded Programme on Immunization of the WHO, structure of the hepatitis B virus, and vaccine-escape mutants were summarized briefly in the first part of the review. Later, generation of plasma-derived and recombinant vaccines containing S antigen only, and subsequently, S together with preS1 + preS2 antigens were described. The results of vaccination of adults and children with high risk of infection at two symposia held in our country in 1991 and 1994, were analysed. The role in prevention of the spread of viral hepatitis of high hygienic standard in all health care units and education of staff in terms of anti-infectious control was pointed out. Finally, the problem of persistence of anti-HBs antibodies in the years following the immunization was outlined.