Durability of Antibody Response Against Hepatitis B Virus in Healthcare Workers Vaccinated as Adults

The implementation of vaccination programs worldwide against hepatitis B virus (HBV) has reduced the morbidity and mortality of acute and chronic HBV infection and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in endemic regions [1–3]. Vaccination against HBV consists of 3 or 4 intramuscular injections of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at varying schedules [4]. Response rates to primary vaccination are high, with 85%–100% of vaccinees developing antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) ≥10 mIU/mL [5], a level that is considered protective [5–9]. Factors found to be associated with nonresponse include male sex, increasing age at vaccination (>40 years old), obesity, alcoholism, smoking, and genetic factors [10–12]. Asymptomatic breakthrough infections (detected by the presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen [anti-HBc] or HBV DNA in serum) have been reported in vaccinated persons with a documented initial antibody response [13, 14]. Long-term follow-up studies of persons who were vaccinated as infants have reported absence of anti-HBs in 50%–70% of persons 15–30 years later [13, 15–18]. In contrast, data on the longevity of immunity afforded by hepatitis B vaccine in a healthy adult population are scarce. The few available studies in young adults who initially responded to a past primary vaccine series with antibody concentrations of ≥10 mIU/mL reported that 17%–50% have low or undetectable anti-HBs (reflecting anti-HBs loss) 10–15 years after vaccination [14, 19]. Whether low or undetectable levels of anti-HBs predispose to subsequent infection is unknown. Moreover, whether individuals may respond to a hepatitis B vaccine booster to maintain long-term protection is unknown. Current guidelines do not recommend booster doses, but the duration of long-term protection is unknown [4, 20]. Healthcare workers (HCWs) in the United States are mandated to receive hepatitis B vaccine and are at risk for hepatitis B through occupational exposure. Therefore, they would be an ideal population to assess durability of antibody response and long-term (≥10 years) vaccine protection and to determine response to a booster dose in those who did not maintain the immune response to primary vaccination as adults.