Protection provided by hepatitis B vaccine in a Yupik Eskimo population. Seven-year results.
The long-term immunogenicity and protection provided by a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine (Heptavax B) was determined in a cohort of susceptible persons immunized in 1981. In this study 1581 susceptible persons were immunized with the recommended three-dose regimen of hepatitis B vaccine. After 7 years, 74% of vaccinees retained antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) levels of 10 mIU/mL or more. Anti-HBs levels at 7 years varied inversely with age and directly with the level of anti-HBs attained 1 year after the first dose. During the 7 years after the first dose of vaccine, five vaccine responders and three other persons developed antibody to hepatitis B core antigen and their level of anti-HBs increased. None developed detectable hepatitis B surface antigen or clinical hepatitis. This update of an ongoing study continues to suggest that the risk of hepatitis B virus infection to most persons with an initial anti-HBs response to hepatitis B virus vaccine of 10 mIU/mL or greater is low, regardless of the initial antibody level.
Wainwright
R B
RB
Arctic Investigations Program, Centers for Disease Control, Anchorage, AK 99501.
McMahon
B J
BJ
Bulkow
L R
LR
Parkinson
A J
AJ
Harpster
A P
AP
D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D004930:Inuit; D008875:Middle Aged; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines