Low hepatitis B immunogenicity of a hexavalent vaccine widely used in Germany: results of the German Health Survey for Children and Adolescents, 2003-2006.
The success of childhood vaccination against hepatitis B relies on persistence of immunity into adolescence and adulthood. In 2000, two hexavalent vaccines with a hepatitis B component (Hexavac, Infanrix hexa) were introduced in Germany. Hexavac was withdrawn in 2005 amidst concerns about its long-term hepatitis B protection. We compared hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) levels in children fully vaccinated with Hexavac or Infanrix hexa (n=477) in a secondary data analysis of a large cross-sectional health survey in Germany. On average 2.4 years after vaccination, 25.3% of Hexavac vaccinees had anti-HBs levels <10 mIU/ml (95% CI 19.0-32.8) compared to 4.7% of Infanrix hexa vaccinees (95% CI 2.4-8.9). These findings suggest that short-term hepatitis B immunogenicity in Hexavac vaccinees may also be weaker. Further studies are warranted to assess whether Hexavac vaccinees should be re-vaccinated or receive a booster vaccination before these birth cohorts reach adolescence.
Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
P
P
Jorgensen
C
C
Poethko-Müller
W
W
Hellenbrand
W
W
Jilg
W
W
Thierfelder
C
C
Meyer
M
M
an der Heiden
M
M
Schlaud
D
D
Radun
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines