Serocanversion following hepatitis B immunization in expanded programmed on immunization in a selected MOH area in Galle District

Abstract

The study was an interventional study, where 42 infants detected with low titres of antibodies (9 non-responders, 33 responders) in the first stage, were given a booster dose of hepatitis 13 vaccine. HBs antibody titres were retested after 2-4 weeks Following 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccination, 5.8 percent ( 9/154) did not have protective antibody levels ( non-responders. anti-HBs titre 10 ml /ml/ The overall protection after 3 doses of vaccine was 94.2 percent ( 145/154) and had a geometric mean titre of 233.37 mlU/ml/ Sex, birth weight, body mass index , weight for height were not significantly associated with anti-HBs levels. Protective anti -HBs titres were demonstrated by giving a booster dose to infants with inadequate level of seroconversion, depicting a good memory following the primary vaccination and thus a booster dose of vaccine may not be needed in the population of infants vaccinated for hepatities B in Sri Lanka