Hepatitis B vaccination in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results of an intensified immunization schedule.

In an earlier study only 10.5% of 162 patients developed protective levels of antibody (anti-Hbs) to a series of three double dose immunization with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine (Engerix B, Smith Kline Beecham). A second study was conducted giving five primary doses at monthly intervals followed by a booster 1 year after the first dose. Serum antibodies were detected in 30% of patients who received all six doses of vaccine, and in only 19% were antibody levels protective. Infection with HBV occurred in 43% of patients.