Hepatitis B Vaccination Rates and Risk Factors Affecting Vaccine Response in People Living with HIV in Turkey

HIV-HBV coinfection is common among individuals living with HIV; therefore, hepatitis B vaccination is recommended. However, vaccine response rates in people living with HIV are lower than those observed in the healthy population. The aim of this study was to determine HBV vaccination rates and identify risk factors affecting vaccine response in people living with HIV.

This multicenter, observational, retrospective study included patients over 18 years of age who were diagnosed with HIV infection and followed for at least six months between January 2018 and January 2024. Patients were screened for HBV using HBsAg, Anti- HBc IgG, and Anti-HBs serology, and Anti-HBs levels were measured at least 4-8 weeks after completion of the HBV vaccination schedule.

Of 811 people living with HIV, 274 met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 37.5 years (range: 18-75), and 85% were male. The hepatitis B vaccination rate in this cohort was 33.7%. Following the HBV vaccination schedule, vaccine response (Anti-HBs ≥10 IU/L) was observed in 73.4% of individuals. Hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were identified as independent risk factors affecting vaccine response (p = 0.016 and p = 0.026, respectively).

Vaccine response was found to be lower in individuals with hypertension and COPD. These factors should be considered when administering the hepatitis B vaccine to people living with HIV to improve immunization outcomes.