Long Term Seroprotection after Hepatitis B Vaccination

Hepatitis B infection is a global public health problem. Morbidity and mortality in chronic hepatitis B infection are linked to persistence of viral replication and evolution to end stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Despite advances in antiviral therapy, only a minority of patients with chronic hepatitis B will have a sustained response to treatment. Thus, the primary prevention by vaccination remains the main plunge in the control of hepatitis B virus infection. Currently available hepatitis B vaccines are extremely safe and efficacious, effective against all HBV serotypes and genotypes. Seroprotection after HBV vaccination persists for years, protection from clinical disease despite declining anti-HBs levels is probably due to the priming of memory cells, which are capable of eliciting anamnestic response when challenged To date there are no data to support the need for booster dose in immunocompetent individuals who have responded to the primary vaccination. Current recommendations include booster doses only for patients undergoing hemodialysis.