Long-term persistence of anti-HBs after hepatitis B vaccination among adults: 8-year results

Abstract

ABSTRACT The long-term persistence of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) after hepatitis B vaccination among adults was not known clearly. This study aimed to assess the immunogenicity and persistence of antibodies 8 years after hepatitis B immunization with different vaccination schedules among adults who tested negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs, and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). A total of 771 participants who received the full vaccination course (three doses) and also had a blood sample taken 1 month after the first vaccination were recruited. Of these, 529 were excluded due to the missing data of anti-HBs 8 years after the first vaccination. Vaccinations were carried out at 0–1–3, 0–1–6 and 0–1–12 month vaccination schedules, and 104, 45, and 93 participants were included, respectively. The positive seroprotection rate was 85.9% 1 month after the third vaccination, and 58.3% 8 years later (χ 2 = 54.52, P < .001), while the geometric mean titer (GMT) of anti-HBs was 158.49 mIU/mL [95% confidence interval (CI): 131.83–190.55)] and 15.14 mIU/mL (95% CI: 10.96–20.42) after 1 month and 8 years, respectively. Compared with the standard 0–1–6 month vaccination schedule, the positive seroprotection rate and the GMT of the 0–1–3 month vaccination schedule had no difference. The long-term immune effect of the 0–1–3 month vaccination schedule was better than that of the 0–1–12 month vaccination schedule. No correlation was found between the GMT of anti-HBs 1 month and 8 years later.