Abstract
Immunization of babies born to hepatitis B carrier mothers at King Fahad National Guard Hospital began in July 1984. Thirteen months into the program, it was learned that 3.8% of the mothers were HBsAg positive, that less than half of the pregnant women came for any prenatal care, and that only 28% of the infants at risk completed the vaccination series. During the first five years (1984-88) of the program, there were 13,000 newborns, of whom 490 were born to hepatitis carrier mothers. The percentage of women who came for at least one prenatal visit increased from 46% in 1984 to 66% in 1987. Analysis showed that the percentage of return for the second vaccination increased from 49% in 1984 to 74% in 1988, and for the third vaccination from 21% in 1984 to 51% in 1988. Screening tests to determine immunity status were conducted after completion of the vaccination series. Of 127 infants tested, 126 were HBsAg negative and one was borderline positive. Of 125 infants tested for anti-HBs, 87% showed seroconversion.