In accordance with the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee recommendations for universal infant vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine,1 Duke University Medical Center (DUMC), Durham, NC, began in February 1993 to offer hepatitis B vaccine for all infants prior to being discharged from the hospital at birth. Of the 715 children born at DUMC between March 1, 1993, and June 30, 1993,513 (71.7%) received a first dose of hepatitis B vaccine.
According to the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee recommendations, doses two and three of hepatitis B vaccine are to be given at ages 1 to 2 months and 6 to 18 months, respectively. At the DUMC pediatrie practice, all children who are recipients of Medicaid are routinely immunized with vaccines other than hepatitis B, starting at age 2 months. All vaccines, including the Haemophilus Influenzae type b oligosaccharide
CRMj97 conjugate vaccine, are supplied by the Durham County Health Department. However, to