The long-term efficacy, 13–23 years, of a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine in highly endemic areas in China

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine that has been applied widely in five areas of China where HBV prevalence was highly endemic. MethodA cross-sectional investigation was conducted in 2009 at five HBV surveillance sites around China. The target study subjects of 6772 were born between 1986 and 1996 and received plasma-derived HBV vaccine. Serum samples were collected to test for HBV markers using the microparticle enzyme immunoassay. ResultsThe number of participants enrolled was 6772. The average hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence was 2.01%. The birth dose group included 5052 children. In this group, the average positive rates of HBsAg and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) were 1.58% and 6.39%, respectively, and these values declined gradually from 1986 to 1996. The positive rates of anti-hepatitis B surface antibody (HBs) and the geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-HBs-positive subjects were 41.69% and 115.8mIU/ml. ConclusionThe long-term effectiveness of the plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine still provided protection 13–23 years after vaccination. It seems that a booster dose is not necessary. Enhancing the rate of the birth dose within 24h is one of the most important measures to prevent and control HBV infection.