Open AccessLong-term immunogenicity and efficacy of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in Egyptian children
Author(s) -
Ihab H. El-Sawy,
Omar Mohamed
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/1999.5.5.922
Subject(s) - medicine , immunogenicity , vaccination , hbsag , vaccination schedule , booster dose , hepatitis b vaccine , booster (rocketry) , pediatrics , hepatitis b , immunology , virology , immunization , hepatitis b virus , antibody , virus , physics , astronomy
In 1992, Egypt adopted a hepatitis B vaccine schedule at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. We evaluated the long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccination using this schedule in 180 children whose time lapse since last vaccination varied between 1 month and 5 years. None of the participants had clinical hepatitis, HBsAg was not detected in any participant and all but one had negative results for anti-HBc test. Although a high seroprotection rate [93.3%]was elicited 1 month after vaccination, there were low initial anti-HBs concentrations and both declined rapidly over time. Thus, the short interval [2 months]between the second and third doses of vaccine is less desirable in the long term. We recommend booster inoculations for all previously vaccinated children and a new vaccination schedule at 1, 2 and 9 months