Hepatitis B vaccine in the EPI schedule

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Vaccinology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global health concern, particularly in infants.
• Timely vaccination is crucial for preventing perinatal HBV transmission and long-term complications.
• Standard infant vaccination schedules aim to achieve optimal seroconversion rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the seroconversion adequacy of an alternative Hepatitis B vaccine schedule (0, 6 weeks, and 9 months).
• To compare this schedule with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended schedule (0, 1, and 6 months).
• To assess the immunogenicity of Hepatitis B vaccination when co-administered with other routine infant vaccines.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 725 infants comparing two Hepatitis B vaccination schedules: Group A (0, 6 weeks, 9 months) and Group B (0, 1, 6 months).
• Infants received the first dose within 48 hours of birth, with other Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccines administered per schedule.
• Serum samples were collected 4 weeks post-second and post-third doses for HbsAg and Anti Hbs titer analysis using ELISA.

Main Results:

• Seroconversion rates after the second dose were high and comparable in both groups (90.89% in Group A vs. 91.82% in Group B).
• Seroconversion rates after the third dose were also excellent and similar (98.99% in Group A vs. 98.45% in Group B).
• Statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis H test) confirmed no significant difference between the two vaccination schedules' efficacy.

Conclusions:

• The Hepatitis B vaccination schedule of 0, 6 weeks, and 9 months demonstrates equivalent seroefficacy to the standard 0, 1, and 6 months schedule.
• This alternative schedule offers a viable option for infant immunization programs.
• Co-administration of Hepatitis B vaccine with other routine vaccines does not appear to compromise seroconversion.