Serum level of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen 6-8 years after hepatitis B vaccination at birth.
The duration of protection after hepatitis B vaccination in children is unknown. We determined the serum level of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBsAg) in 273 randomly selected 7-9-year-old schoolchildren from Zanjan City, Islamic Republic of Iran, who had been fully vaccinated against hepatitis B starting at birth. Titres < or = 10 mlU/mL were considered unprotective. Just over half of the children (52%) had titres < or = 10 mlU/mL with no difference between the sexes, while 81 (29.7%) had no anti-HBsAg (0 mlU/mL). Three of the children had antibodies to hepatitis B core protein. More studies are needed to determine the necessity for or timing of booster doses.
Kazemi
A
A
Department of Paediatrics, Vali-Asr Medical Centre, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Islamic Republic of Iran. SAN_Kazemi@yahoo.com
Koosha
A
A
Rafizadeh
B
B
Mousavinasab
N
N
Mahram
M
M
D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods
D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines