Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 11, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Hepatitis B Virus Detection
04:11

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Hepatitis B Virus Detection

Published on: December 15, 2023

4.3K

Hepatitis B birth vaccination, cohort study, Tunisia 2000-2017

Wafa Dhouib1, Meriem Kacem1, Cyrine Bennasrallah1

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Monastir , Monastir, Tunisia.

The Libyan Journal of Medicine
|August 22, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Administering the Hepatitis B (HB) vaccine at birth (HepB-BD) is highly effective, demonstrating 99.4% efficacy in preventing HB infections. This strategy is crucial for achieving global HB elimination goals.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hepatitis B (HB) remains a significant global health concern.
  • Vaccination strategies are key to controlling HB transmission.
  • Evaluating vaccine timing is crucial for optimizing public health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficiency and efficacy of the first dose of the Hepatitis B (HB) vaccine administered at birth versus at 3 months of age.
  • To assess the long-term impact of different HB vaccination schedules on disease incidence.
  • To evaluate the contribution of the Hepatitis B Birth Dose (HepB-BD) to the World Health Organization's (WHO) HB elimination targets.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study was conducted in Monastir from January 2000 to December 2017.
  • Two vaccination protocols were compared: Protocol 1 (first dose at 3 months) and Protocol 2 (first dose at birth - HepB-BD).
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was determined using serological markers (HBsAg and anti-HBc), and Absolute Risk (AR) and Relative Risk Reduction (RRR) were calculated.

Main Results:

  • The HepB-BD protocol (Protocol 2) showed significantly higher efficacy, with an Absolute Risk (AR) of 0.11 per 100,000 PY compared to 5.67 in Protocol 1.
  • The Relative Risk Reduction (RRR) was 99.4% for HepB-BD versus 77% for the 3-month schedule.
  • Zero HB cases were observed in children aged 5-11 who received HepB-BD, compared to 4 cases in the same age group who received the first dose at 3 months.

Conclusions:

  • The Hepatitis B vaccine administered at birth (HepB-BD) is highly effective (99.4%) in preventing Hepatitis B infections.
  • Implementing HepB-BD globally is essential for achieving the WHO's goal of eliminating Hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2050.
  • The study highlights the critical importance of early vaccination in reducing HB incidence and achieving elimination targets.

Keywords:
EfficiencyTunisiahepatitis Bhumansvaccination

More Related Videos

A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target11:34

A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target

Published on: May 10, 2022

2.6K
Modeling Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Non-Hepatic 293T-NE-3NRs Cells09:02

Modeling Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Non-Hepatic 293T-NE-3NRs Cells

Published on: June 5, 2020

7.7K

Related Concept Videos

Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
50.6K
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
3.8K