Recombivax HB, first licensed in 1986, was a hepatitis B vaccine made using recombinant DNA technology.
It was developed by Merck and became the first recombinant vaccine licensed in the United States. Instead of collecting hepatitis B surface antigen from infected human plasma, scientists inserted the gene for the antigen into yeast cells. The yeast produced the antigen, which could then be purified and used to train the immune system.
The vaccine does not contain whole hepatitis B virus and cannot cause hepatitis B infection. It protects by prompting antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen. Engerix-B, another recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, was licensed later in the United States.
Hepatitis B can cause chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Many countries recommend vaccination beginning at birth because infection acquired early in life is especially likely to become chronic.