Please explain the HepB vaccination schedule options available for the different HepB products.

The schedule for HepB vaccination depends on the brand in use. Heplisav-B is administered intramuscularly on a 2-dose schedule with doses separated by 1 month (4 weeks). Routine primary vaccination with PreHevbrio, Engerix-B, Recombivax HB, or Twinrix consists of three intramuscular doses administered on a 0-, 1-, and 6-month schedule.

Alternative vaccination schedules for Engerix-B and Recombivax HB (for example, 0, 1, and 4 months or 0, 2, and 4 months) have been demonstrated to elicit dose-specific and final rates of seroprotection similar to those obtained on a 0-, 1-, and 6-month schedule. Increasing the interval between the first 2 doses has little effect on immunogenicity or the final antibody concentration. The third dose confers the maximum level of seroprotection and provides long-term protection.

Recombivax HB may be administered in a 2-dose schedule at 0 and 4–6 months for adolescents age 11 through 15 years using the adult formulation (1.0 mL). Pediarix (GSK) and Vaxelis (MCM) combination vaccines are administered at age 2, 4, and 6 months; they are not used for the birth dose. Twinrix may be administered on an accelerated 4-dose schedule at 0, 7, and 21–30 days, followed by a dose at 12 months.

HepB vaccination of adult (age 20 years and older) hemodialysis patients consists of high-dose (40 µg) Recombivax HB administered on a 0-, 1-, and 6-month schedule or high-dose (2 mL) Engerix-B administered on a 0-, 1-, 2-, and 6-month schedule. Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio have not been studied in patients on hemodialysis.