Does Extra-High Dose Hepatitis B Vaccination Confer Longer Serological Protection in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients?

Hepatitis B virus causes inflammation of the liver which is detrimental to the end-stage renal disease patients on dialysis. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for this high-risk population although the vaccine protection remains suboptimal and does not last long. The purpose of this study is to determine the best vaccination strategy over a 6-month period using recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B) in peritoneal dialysis patients. Current data show that the traditional Engerix-B vaccine dose (40 micrograms) does not always lead to protective and long-lasting hepatitis B surface antibody. The investigators, therefore, decided to compare the usual 40-micrograms with an 80-microgram dose strategy of vaccine protection.