How Long Does Hepatitis B Vaccination Last?

Abigail Zuger, MD

For healthy healthcare workers, boosters don't seem necessary.

Vaccine-induced immunity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection often wanes with time. Still, current guidelines do not recommend boosters for adults who are at ongoing risk for exposure (e.g., healthcare workers). Researchers correlated levels of antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) with time since receipt of HBV vaccination among 159 healthcare workers at the NIH who were vaccinated as adults. The group was divided about equally among those who had been vaccinated 10 to 15 years previously, 16 to 20 years previously, and >20 years previously.

The proportions of healthcare workers with protective anti-HBs levels were similar in the three groups (82%, 74%, and 76%, respectively). Both older participants and those who were older when they were vaccinated were more likely to lack protective antibody. Of the 36 participants (23%) with suboptimal antibody levels, 34 received single booster doses of vaccine; 3 weeks later, 32 booster recipients had antibody levels in the protective range.

Citation(s):

Gara N et al. Durability of antibody response against hepatitis B virus in healthcare workers vaccinated as adults. Clin Infect Dis 2015 Feb 15; 60:505.