Abstract
More and more elderly people travel to areas where hepatitis A and B are endemic. Their immune system is less effective than in young persons. Therefore, it has to be insured that these travelers have protective immunity after vaccination.In a retrospective study we measured anti hepatitis virus (anti-HAV) and anti-HBs in elderly persons (N=104, mean age 54 years) after combined hepatitis A/B vaccination under every-day conditions. After complete vaccination only 36 (34.6%) had antibodies against both viruses. Only 23 (29%) of 80 vaccinees older than 40 years were protected against hepatitis B and 52 (65%) against hepatitis A.The response to the vaccination decreased with increasing age. Vaccination against hepatitis B—but not against hepatitis A—was also influenced by the presence of chronic disease.After one booster 87% of the anti-HAV negative vaccinees developed protective anti-HAV antibodies. Anti-HBs can be expected in about 50% of the HBV negative vaccinees with every single booster.These results indicate that combined hepatitis A/B vaccination is not very effective in elderly persons. After complete vaccination their anti-HAV and anti-HBs antibodies have to be controlled to insure protection. In case of vaccination-failure boosters are very effective.
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