[Immunoprophylaxis of hepatitis B: vaccination at a general hospital in São Paulo using methods adapted to our socioeconomic reality].

The vaccination program against hepatitis B at the hospital of the "Real Sociedade Portuguesa de Beneficiência" in São Paulo was carried out successfully. Out of 554 persons that received the initial 3 vaccine doses 520 completed the program (93.86%) which is an achievement comparable to the best ones of the published series. Since the anti hepatitis B vaccine is expensive we feel that it should be given only to the hospital employees for whom we have a certain guarantee that they will complete the program. Our good results were possible only because we vaccinated only persons having stable relationship with the hospital and because the vaccination was carried out in the hospital during the working hours.