Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in vaccinated children and controls in rural Nigeria.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) amongst vaccinated children and controls aged 1-4 years in a rural community in mid-western Nigeria.

Methods: The vaccinated children had received at least three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccines included recombinant hepatitis B vaccine at birth and a combined diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whole cell) plus hepatitis B (DTPw-HBV) vaccine.