[Hepatitis B vaccination: immunogenicity of the plasmatic vaccine in hospital personnel].

The results and incidences of a hepatitis B vaccination program were evaluated in 310 health professionals from a general hospital constituting 26.8% of the whole staff. They were 102 males and 208 females which, on the basis of previous criteria, were inoculated with plasmatic vaccine (MSD) in the deltoid muscle. In only 299 (100 males and 199 females), post vaccination control laboratory studies were available. The overall antiHBs seroconversion rate was 95%; it was 92% in males and 96% in females, without significant differences (p greater than 0.05). The age group below 30 years had a better response (97%) than the 30-49 years group (95%), and this, in its turn, better than that over 50 years (90%), but the differences between groups were not significant (p greater than 0.05). The immune response was satisfactory (greater than 100 mUI/ml) in 85% of the study group, and in only 5% it was negative or scarcely measurable. The application of a fourth vaccine dose to nonresponders had variable results. In 20% of the vaccinated individuals adverse reactions were noted, more frequently after the first vaccine dose. We wish to emphasize that a vaccination program such as this demands a great planning, organization and follow-up effort to achieve success and cost-effectiveness. Importantly, it should be avoided that vaccination create a feeling of false security among health professionals inducing them to neglect other protective measures.