[Practical recommendations for general introduction of hepatitis B vaccination]

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and the Swiss Advisory Board on Immunisation recommended that universal vaccination against hepatitis B be introduced in January 1998. The target population for immunisation are youngsters between 11 and 15 years of age. This recommendation does not preclude ongoing selective vaccination of individuals in high risk groups, nor the routine immunisation of individuals younger or older than the target age (if needed). Injections should be given in the deltoïd area and needle length is critical to ensure proper resorption of the antigen and adequate immune response. Three doses are recommended at times 0, 1 month and 6 months with no booster dose. The time interval between the second and third dose should not be shorter than 2 months but can be longer than 5 months. Vaccination initiated with one commercial brand can be completed with a different brand. The simultaneous administration of immune globulin with the initiation of vaccination and the measurement of serum antibodies after completion of vaccination are unnecessary.