Immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in health-care workers

ABSTRACT

Health care workers [HCWs] constitute a high-risk population of HBV infection. There are limited data on the efficacy of vaccination in HCWs in Egypt. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune response to hepatitis B recombinant vaccine in HCWs in our hospital. 100 HCWs who completed three doses of intramuscular immunization with recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine [Engerix-B] at different time periods during the last 5 years were examined for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBs Ag], anti hepatitis B surface antibodies [anti HBs Abs] and hepatitis B core antibodies [HBc Abs]. 96% of HCWs showed seroconversion [anti HBs 10 IU/L]; 92% good responders [anti HBs > 100 IU/L] and 4% weak responders [anti HBs = 10-100 IU/L]. The HBsAg and HBc Ab were never detected among the entire responders. Younger age had higher anti HBs titer than older HCWs. The non responders were 4%; two of them had evidence of chronic hepatitis B infection. Vaccination against HBV in HCWs in Egypt is cost effective and achieved good response rate. Screening for Hepatitis B infection before vaccination should be considered to detect those with undiagnosed infection