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2747972 
Journal Article 
Delayed third hepatitis B vaccine dose and immune response 
Mangione, R; Stroffolini, T; Tosti, ME; Fragapani, D; Mele, A 
1995 
1 
The Lancet
ISSN: 0140-6736
EISSN: 1474-547X 
IPA/95/1083122 
VOL 345 ISS Apr 29 1995 
REF 3 
English 
IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP The effects of a delayed third hepatitis B vaccine dose on the immune response were studied in 109 children who had received the first and second vaccine doses at age 12 yr according to the recommended schedule, but due to a shortage in the vaccine supply, did not receive the third dose until nearly 2 yr later. Anti-HBs response was evaluated 1 month after the third dose. Only 1 child developed low antibody levels ( and lt;10 mIU/ml), whereas 89.9% showed highly protective anti-HBs values ( and gt;1000 mIU/ml). It was concluded that delay in giving the third hepatitis B vaccine dose for up to 2 yr is unlikely to have a negative impact on immune response.