Alternate Two-Dose Hepatitis B Vaccination Schedule for Adolescents Aged 11--15 Years

In September 1999, Merck Vaccine Division (Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania*) received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for an optional two-dose schedule of Recombivax HB® for vaccination of adolescents aged 11--15 years. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approved the optional two-dose schedule in October 1999 and recommended to include this schedule in the Vaccines for Children Program in February 2000.