Immune response to hepatitis B vaccine: An evaluation

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem in India, and all health-care workers (HCWs) need to be immunized to prevent occupational exposure. This study was done to find the hepatitis B vaccination rates, immune response, and predictors of titer 35 (odds ratio [OR]: 3.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.12–6.99]), last dose >10 years (OR: 5.01, 95% CI: 2.94–8.55), no boosters or revaccination (OR: 2.94, 95% CI: 1.42–6.07), and body mass index (BMI) >25 (OR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.44–3.39) were associated with nonprotective titer. Conclusion: More than a quarter of the study population who were at high risk of exposure were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. Even after taking the full course of hepatitis B vaccine, 12.3% had titer 35 years, last dose taken >10 years ago, no boosters/revaccination, and BMI ≥25.

Keywords

• antibody titer
• health-care workers
• hepatitis b
• immune response
• occupational exposure
• vaccine