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Hepatitis B Seroprotection and the Response to a Challenging Dose among Vaccinated Children in Red Sea Governorate
Samia M Sami1, Iman I Salama2, Ghada A Abdel-Latif2
1National Research Center, Child Health, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in infancy provides long-term immunity in children up to age sixteen. A booster dose is not required, even with reduced antibody levels over time.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global health concern.
- Infant vaccination is the primary strategy for preventing HBV infection.
- Long-term vaccine effectiveness and the need for booster doses in children require ongoing evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the hepatitis B virus vaccine.
- To determine the necessity of a booster dose in children vaccinated during infancy.
- To assess immunity in children aged 9 months to 16 years in the Red Sea Governorate.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving interviews and serological testing for Hepatitis B markers.
- Assessment of Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) levels.
- Evaluation of anamnestic response to a booster dose in non-seroprotected children.
Main Results:
- No participants showed evidence of chronic Hepatitis B.
- Seroprotection rates decreased significantly with age.
- Older age and lower baseline anti-HBs levels were associated with reduced seroprotection and waning immunity.
Conclusions:
- Complete infant hepatitis B vaccination series confers persistent long-term immunity.
- Antibody levels may decrease over time, but protective immunity is maintained.
- Booster doses are not necessary for children up to age sixteen who completed the primary vaccination series.
Aim:
To assess the long-term effectiveness of hepatitis B virus vaccine and the need for a booster dose among children who received three doses of vaccine during infancy in Red Sea Governorate.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was performed. Interviews with children (9 months to 16 years) and parents were done. Blood samples to assess Hepatitis B markers were tested. Children showing no seroprotection received a booster dose to assess their anamnestic response after four weeks and one year later.
Results:
None of the participants had evidence of chronic Hepatitis B. The seroprotection rate was 23.3% and it significantly decreased with age. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that older age was the significant predicting variable for having no seroprotective level, while baseline anti-HBs level < 3.3 IU/L was the predicting variable for not developing early anamnestic response or loss of late anamnestic response.
Conclusion:
Long-term immunity persists among children who received complete series of hepatitis B vaccination during infancy even in absence or reduction of anti-HBs over time. Therefore, a booster dose is not necessary to maintain immunity till the age of sixteen.
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