Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
04:11

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA

Published on: December 15, 2023

A study of hepatitis B vaccine efficacy 10 years after compulsory vaccination in Egypt

Hanan Shatat1, Amira Kotkat, Azza Farghaly

  • 1Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. hshatat2001@yahoo.com

The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association
|December 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B vaccination in infancy provides protection up to 10 years, with low infection rates. Booster doses may not be needed during this period due to a robust immune response.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hepatitis B remains a significant global health concern.
  • Infant vaccination is a primary strategy for hepatitis B prevention.
  • Long-term vaccine efficacy, especially regarding chronic carriage, requires ongoing evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the protective efficacy of infant hepatitis B vaccination up to age 10.
  • To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B infection and chronic carriage in vaccinated children.
  • To evaluate the need for booster doses in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 720 children vaccinated in infancy was studied.
  • Hepatitis B serologic markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc) were measured using ELISA.
  • Data on infection and carriage were analyzed to determine vaccine effectiveness.

Main Results:

  • Only 37.9% of children had protective antibody levels, indicating antibody decay over time.
  • Hepatitis B infection was observed in 6.8% of vaccinated children.
  • Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), indicative of chronic carriage, was detected in only 0.6% of children.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis B vaccination confers protection against infection and chronic carriage for at least 10 years.
  • Booster doses appear unnecessary up to age 10 due to a strong anamnestic response.
  • Further long-term studies are recommended to monitor efficacy during adolescence and assess the need for future boosters.

More Related Videos

Analysis of HBV-Specific CD4 T-cell Responses and Identification of HLA-DR-Restricted CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Based on a Peptide Matrix10:37

Analysis of HBV-Specific CD4 T-cell Responses and Identification of HLA-DR-Restricted CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Based on a Peptide Matrix

Published on: October 20, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
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...
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...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Yellow Fever01:18

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted primarily by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America. After transmission through a mosquito bite, the virus initially replicates in skin-resident immune cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages. These cells then migrate to the lymph nodes, where viral replication increases, eventually leading to...