Immunization of Haemophiliacs Against Hepatitis B

Patients with bleeding disorders (N = 30) subjected to a current risk of contracting hepatitis B by treatment with plasma products as well as normal individuals (N = 75) were immunized with MSD's hepatitis B vaccine. Eight haemophiliacs were immunized in Leuven, Belgium, and 22 in Malmö, Sweden. 53 of the controls were immunized in Leuven (26 s.c. and 27 i.m.) and 22 in Malmö. The immunogenicity was the same in haemophiliacs as in the controls showing a more potent reaction in individuals <10 years of age. No difference was found between individuals s.c. immunized and those given the vaccine i.m. In the Malmö material 2 of 22 controls did not respond to the immunization after 9 months. Both these individuals were female, >10 years old and belonged to the control group. Very few adverse reactions (swollen, sore arm) were observed.