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Duration of hepatitis B antibody response in children immunised with hepatitis B and compulsory vaccines
S Li Volti1, G Giammanco-Bilancia, G Giammanco
1Institute of Pediatrics, University of Catania, Italy.
Insights
A study on Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) revaccination found that 16.7% of children had low antibody levels after 4 years. This suggests a school-age booster may be beneficial for sustained immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Vaccinology
Background:
- The primary vaccination series for Diphtheria, Tetanus toxoids (DT), Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), and Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) is administered in infancy.
- Assessing the long-term duration of immune response and the necessity of booster doses for HBV is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the duration of the immune response to a primary HBV vaccination series.
- To determine the need and optimal timing for HBV revaccination in children.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-four subjects received simultaneous DT toxoids, OPV, and HBV vaccines at 3, 4-5, and 11 months of age.
- Participants were followed up for 2 and 4 years post-vaccination to assess anti-HBs antibody titers.
Main Results:
- After 4 years, 16.7% of subjects (4/24) showed a fall in anti-HBs titers below 10 mIU/ml.
- An additional 20.8% (5/24) had anti-HBs titers just above 10 mIU/ml, indicating waning immunity.
- These findings suggest a potential need for HBV revaccination.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of children experience a decline in protective anti-HBs antibody levels years after primary vaccination.
- Revaccination with HBV at 5-6 years of age, coinciding with school entry, is proposed as a practical and potentially cost-effective strategy.
- This approach may enhance long-term vaccine efficacy and improve vaccination compliance.
Abstract:
Twenty four subjects were simultaneously administered DT toxoids, OPV and HBV vaccines at the age of 3, 4-5 and 11 months and then followed up for 2 and 4 years in order to evaluate the duration of the immune response and the need and the timing of HBV revaccination. A fall in anti-HBs titre below 10 mIU/ml was observed at the follow up in 4/24 (16.7%) of the subjects. In other 5 children (20.8%) anti-HBs titre was found to be just above 10 mIU/ml. This would suggest that a revaccination is indicated and it could be performed at the age of 5-6 years when children enter school. This schedule is simple, effective and money saving since it reduces the cost/benefit ratio and the number of visits for immunisations, and it is expected to improve the compliance for the vaccination.