Early and long term anamnestic response to HBV booster dose among fully vaccinated Egyptian children during infancy

Abstract Objective To evaluate early and long term anamnestic response to a booster dose of HBV vaccine among non-seroprotected children. Subjects and method A national community based project was carried out on 3600 children aged 9 months to 16 years, fully vaccinated during infancy. They were recruited from 6 governorates representing Egypt. It revealed that 1535 children (42.8%) had non sero-protective anti-HBs ( Results Early anamnestic response developed among 967/1070 children (90.3%).Children having detectable anti-HBs (1–9 IU/L) significantly developed early anamnestic response (90%) compared to 85% with undetectable anti-HBs ( Conclusion Immunological memory for HBV vaccine outlasts the presence of anti- HBs and HBV vaccination program provides effective long term protection even in children showing waning or undetectable concentrations of anti-HBs. This signifies no need for a booster dose especially to healthy children.