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Abstract Details
Protection and Antibody Levels 35 Years after Primary Series with Hepatitis B Vaccine and Response to a Booster Dose
Hepatology. 2022 Mar 23. doi: 10.1002/hep.32474. Online ahead of print.
Michael G Bruce1, Dana Bruden1, Debby Hurlburt1, Julie Morris1, Sara Bressler1, Gail Thompson1, Danielle Lecy1, Karen Rudolph1, Lisa Bulkow1, Thomas Hennessy1, Brenna C Simons1, Mark K Weng2, Noele Nelson2, Brian J McMahon13
Author information
Arctic Investigations Program, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Disease, and Tuberculosis Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Liver Disease and Hepatitis Program, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
Abstract
Background: The duration of protection from hepatitis B vaccination in children and adults is not known. In 1981, we used three doses of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine to immunize a cohort of 1578 Alaska Native adults and children from 15 Alaska communities who were 6 months or older.
Methods: We tested persons for anti-HBs levels 35 years after receiving the primary series. Those with levels <10 mIU/ml received 1 booster dose of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine 2-4 weeks later and were then evaluated on the basis of anti-HBs measurements 30 days post-booster.
Results: Among the 320 recruited, 112 persons had not participated in the 22 nor 30-year follow-up study (Group 1) and 208 persons had participated but were not given an HBV booster dose (Group 2). Among the 112 persons in Group 1 who responded to the original primary series, 53 (47.3%) had an anti-HBs level ≥10 mIU/ml. Among group 1, 73.7% (28/38) of persons available for a booster dose responded to it with an anti-HBs level ≥10 mIU/ml at 30 days. Initial anti-HBs level after the primary series was correlated with higher anti-HBs levels at 35 years. Among 8 persons who tested positive for anti-HBc, none tested positive for HBsAg nor HBV DNA.
Conclusions: Based on anti-HBs level ≥10 mIU/ml at 35 years and a 73.7% booster dose response, we estimate 86% of participants had evidence of protection 35 years later. Booster doses are not needed in the general population at this time.