The response rate and HBsAG antibody concentrations were examined after hepatitis B vaccination in 78 hemodialysis patients aged between 29 and 79 years. The values were related to age, duration of hemodialysis, body weight, creatinine, urea nitrogen, serum concentrations of β2 3,000 mU/ml; p < 0.05). Discriminant multivariate analysis (p = 0.032) revealed the influence (62%) of IL-2R on the response rate while other factors were similar in all patient groups. It is concluded that preactivation of T cells with an increased release of IL-2R may contribute to impaired immune response after hepatitis B vaccinati