Efficacy of a mass hepatitis B immunization program after switching to recombinant hepatitis B vaccine: a population-based study in Taiwan

To study the efficacy of immunization against hepatitis B after plasma-derived vaccine was replaced by recombinant vaccine, 2-year-old Taiwanese children were recruited by stratification random sampling and tested for hepatitis B markers. They were grouped according to maternal infectivity and children's immunization status. Of 2010 children, 2.5% had hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), 94.1% had its antibody (anti-HBs), 6.8% had core antibody, and 3.3% were seronegative. Children of highly infectious mothers immunized with hepatitis B immunoglobulin and vaccine on schedule had a lower HBsAg-positive rate and a higher anti-HBs-positive rate than those with vaccine only and off-schedule. The efficacy of the Taiwanese mass hepatitis B immunization was maintained after switching to recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.