Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice
07:25

Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice

Published on: September 25, 2019

Long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of universal hepatitis B virus vaccination in Taiwan

Yu-Cheng Lin1, Mei-Hwei Chang, Yen-Hsuan Ni

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Long-term hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine immunogenicity in adolescents shows protective antibody levels wane but chronic infection remains rare. Routine booster vaccination may not be necessary before age 15.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The long-term immunogenicity of universal hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination, particularly in adolescents, is not well-documented.
  • Understanding vaccine effectiveness over time is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the long-term immunogenicity and protective antibody levels of the universal HBV vaccine in adolescents.
  • To evaluate the necessity of routine booster vaccinations in preventing chronic HBV infection.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective community-based study followed 1200 children from age 7 to 14 years.
  • Annual assessment of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs, and anti-HBc levels.
  • Comparison of outcomes between children who received booster vaccinations and those who did not.

Main Results:

  • Eleven children showed evidence of new HBV infection (anti-HBc positive), but none developed HBsAg positivity or detectable HBV DNA.
  • Protective anti-HBs levels decreased from 71.1% at age 7 to 37.4% at age 12 in non-boosted children.
  • New anti-HBc positivity was rare in both booster (1/200) and non-booster (2/258) groups.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis B virus vaccine provides sustained protection against chronic infection in adolescents, even as antibody levels decline.
  • Routine booster vaccination does not appear necessary for preventing chronic HBV infection before age 15.

Related Concept Videos

Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
Vaccines01:21

Vaccines

Vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventive medicine, designed to prepare the immune system to recognize and combat infectious agents. By introducing antigens—substances that the immune system identifies as foreign—vaccines stimulate an adaptive immune response that leads to immunological memory. This immunological memory enables the body to mount a faster and more effective response upon future exposures to the actual pathogen.Vaccines can be categorized based on the type of...
Immunological Memory01:23

Immunological Memory

Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature is...
Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...