接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

HBsAg阳性儿童和健康儿童对国产甲型肝炎灭活疫苗免疫原性和安全性的观察

目的：观察HBsAg阳性儿童对国产甲型肝炎灭活疫苗的免疫原性和安全性。方法：随机选取121名1－10岁健康儿童和10名同龄的HBsAg阳性儿童，抗－HAV均阴性，接种唐山怡安生物工程有限公司研制的甲型肝炎灭活疫苗。接种剂量为500U／剂和1000U／剂两组，免疫程序为0和6个月，并在初免后30d，第二针后30和180d用ELISA方法检测抗－HAV。结果：HBsAg阳性儿童和健康儿童接种500U／剂和1000U／剂甲型肝炎灭活疫苗后抗体阳转率均为100％。第二针免疫后30d抗体平均几何滴度500U／剂组分别为4684．9mIU和4535．6mIU；1000U／剂组分别为5399．8mIU和7347．1mIU。二者比较差异无显著性，免疫后亦未见异常反应，初免后1年抗体水平仍然很高。结论：HBsAg阳性儿童接种国产甲型肝炎灭活疫苗具有良好的免疫应答，同时也是安全的。     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

Predicted 30‐year protection after vaccination with an aluminum‐free virosomal hepatitis A vaccine

Few studies have examined the duration of protection following vaccination against hepatitis A virus (HAV) with currently licensed HAV vaccines. This study explored the long‐term immunogenicity in individuals vaccinated with the virosomal hepatitis A virus, Epaxal®. Adult volunteers (N = 130) previously enrolled into four different studies between 1992 and 1994 and who had completed a 0/12‐month immunization regimen (primary and booster dose) were asked to participate in this follow‐up study. Yearly anti‐HAV titers up to 6 years following booster vaccination, and then once 9–11 years after booster were measured using two assays, Enzygnost® and AxSYM® HAVAB 2.0. Based on the Enzygnost® assay, the seroprotection rate 9–11 years after booster was 100%, with a geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti‐HAV antibodies of 526 mIU/ml. Females had markedly higher GMCs than males (741 mIU/ml vs. 332 mIU/ml). Using an anti‐HAV cut‐off titer of ≥10 mIU/ml, a linear mixed mathematical model predicted a median duration of protection of 52.1 years. A duration of protection ≥35.7 years was predicted for 95% of subjects. A more stringent cut‐off of ≥20 mIU/ml shortened the median predicted duration of protection to 45.0 years. In conclusion, a two‐dose Epaxal® vaccination regimen confers in healthy adults a real‐time protection of at least 9–11 years; this protection is predicted to last at least 30 years in over 95% of individuals. Further studies are necessary to assess the real duration of seroprotection and whether an additional booster is necessary later. J. Med. Virol. 82:1629–1634, 2010. 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Antibody persistence and immune memory in adults, 15 years after a three-dose schedule of a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine

A combined hepatitis A and B vaccine is available since 1996. Two separate open‐label primary studies evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of this hepatitis A and B vaccine (720 EI.U of HAV and 20 µg of HBsAg) in 306 healthy subjects aged 17–43 years who received three doses of the vaccine following a 0, 1, and 6 months schedule. These subjects were followed up annually for the next 15 years to evaluate long‐term persistence of anti‐HAV and anti‐HBs antibodies. The subjects whose antibody concentrations fell below the cut‐offs between Year 11 and Year 15 (anti‐HAV: <15 mIU/ml; anti‐HBs: <10 mIU/ml) were offered an additional dose of the appropriate monovalent hepatitis A and/or B vaccine. In subjects who received the additional vaccine dose, a blood sample was collected 1 month after vaccination. At the Year 15 time point, all subjects in Study A and Study B were seropositive for anti‐HAV antibodies and 89.3% and 92.9% of subjects in the respective studies had anti‐HBs antibody concentrations ≥10 mIU/ml. Four subjects (two in each study) received an additional dose of monovalent hepatitis B vaccine and mounted anamnestic responses to vaccination. No vaccine‐related serious adverse events were reported. This study confirms the long‐term immunogenicity of the three‐dose regimen of the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine, as eliciting long‐term persistence of antibodies and immune memory against hepatitis A and B for up to at least 15 years after a primary vaccination. J. Med. Virol. 84:11–17, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Immunogenicity and safety of a new inactivated hepatitis a vaccine in a comparative study

A multicentre, controlled, randomised, open, comparative trial including 839 healthy adult volunteers was carried out in order to compare the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of two vaccines against hepatitis A virus (HAV) during primary immunization and after booster injection. The first vaccine was produced by Pasteur Mérieux (PM), and the second vaccine by Smith-Kline Beecham (SKB). The vaccination schedule consisted of 2 doses (months 0, 6) for PM and 3 doses (months 0, 1, and 6) for SKB. Two weeks after the first dose, the seroconversion rates among initially HAV seronegative subjects (n = 608) were 93.4% and 76.1% for the PM and SKB vaccines, respectively, the corresponding geometric mean titres (GMTs) were 59.0 mlU/ml versus 30.8 mlU/ml (modified RIA HAVAB assay, Abbott Laboratories). Two months after the beginning of immunization (one dose versus two doses) the GMTs were 138.4 and 161.6 mlU/ml, respectively. At month 7, the seroconversion rates were 100% for both vaccines, and the GMTs were 4, 189 and 3, 163 mlU/ml, respectively. After the first dose of vaccine, 24.6% and 19.6% of the PM and SKB vaccinees reported local reactions. The rates for systemic reactions were 27.2% and 25.0%, respectively. Lower rates for local and systemic reactions were seen after booster injections and statistical differences were not observed between the two vaccines. The study also demonstrated that vaccination was as well tolerated in subjects with anti-HAV antibodies as in HAV seronegative subjects. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant vaccine effect on seroconversion rates only at week 2 (P<10^?4). The same conclusions were drawn from the analysis of GMT by multivariate regression. When both times (week 2 and week 8) were analysed together, a statistically significant effect of interaction between time and vaccine was observed, indicating that the kinetics of antibody responses were different. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

新生儿单纯乙型肝炎血源疫苗的免疫持久性和远期保护效果

目的 掌握我国新生儿单纯接种乙型肝炎血源疫苗后的免疫持久性和远期预防效果；观察新生儿免疫较长时间后是否需加强免疫。方法 在湖南湘潭市等4个乙型肝炎疫苗试点区间，对1986－1988年出生并接种乙型肝炎血源疫苗的新生儿，连续14－15年按免疫儿年龄分层随机抽样采血随访，累计随访21680人次，观察免疫儿HBsAg、抗－HBs和抗－HBc的动态变化。结果 新生儿单纯乙型肝炎血源疫苗全程基因免疫后，在15年随访中没有加强免疫，各试点区免疫儿童HBsAg携带率低于1．66％，携带率没有随免疫后的延长而增加；阻断HBV慢性感染的效果持续在90％左右（95％可信限为：83．1％－97．2％）；免疫后不同年限间HBsAg携带率、HBV感染率和保护效果差异均无显著性（P＞0．05）。免疫儿抗－HBs阳性率随免疫后年限延长而逐年明显下降，至第9－10年下降为40％－50％，之后数年内下降幅度不大，至免疫后13－14年抗－HBs阳性率维持在30％－42％；抗－HBs滴度下降了90％。结论 新生儿单纯乙型肝炎疫苗接种后抗－HBs阳性率与滴度的下降不影响其远期预防效果；就群体而言，新生儿及时完成全程免疫后，无需加强免疫可有效阻断HBV感染后成为HBsAg慢性携带者，而很有可能终生受益。     

Safety and immunogenicity of inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in patients with chronic liver disease

The safety and immunogenicity of inactivated hepatitis A vaccine was evaluated in patients with chronic liver disease. Sixty hepatitis A virus antibody (anti-HAV) seronegative patients A virus antibody (anti-HAV) seronegative patients with chronic liver disease (56 chronic hepatitis B and four chronic hepatitis C) and from 17 to 47 years of age received a dose of 1440 ELISA units of the inactivated hepatitis A vaccine at month 0, and a booster at month 6. Anti-HAV seroconversion (⩾ 33 mlU/mL) was 57.6% (34/59) on day 15, and reached 93.2% (55/59) 1 month after primary vaccination. At month 6, the seropositivity of anti-HAV decreased before the booster to 69.0% (40/58). All vaccinees had measurable titers of anti-HAV 1 month after booster vaccination, and were still seropositive at month 12. After initial vaccination, the geometric mean titers of anti-HAV among vaccine responders were 158, 264, 74, 1309, and 409 mlU/ml at day 15 and months 1, 6, 7, and 12. Overall, 59.7% (71/119) of the vaccine doses administered were followed by mostly minor reactions. The majority of symptoms reported were local, all of which resolved within 3 days after vaccination. No significant changes in serum liver enzyme levels were detected after vaccination. Thus, an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine was safe in patients with chronic liver disease while the immune response was inferior to that observed in healthy subjects reported in a previous study. J. Med. Virol. 52:215–218, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Antibody persistence and immune memory in healthy adults following vaccination with a two-dose inactivated hepatitis A vaccine: long-term follow-up at 15 years

Long‐term persistence of vaccine‐induced immune response in adults was assessed annually for 15 years following primary immunization with a two‐dose inactivated hepatitis A vaccine. In 1992, 119 and 194 subjects aged 17–40 years and naïve for hepatitis A virus (HAV) were enrolled in two studies to receive 1,440 ELISA units (El.U) of inactivated hepatitis A vaccine (Havrix?, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Belgium) according to a standard 0, 6 or an extended 0, 12 months schedule, respectively. Serum samples were taken 1 month after the second vaccine dose and every consecutive year up to 15 years after primary vaccination for measurement of anti‐HAV antibody concentrations (NCT00291876 and NCT00289757). At year 15, 100% (48/48) and 97.3% (108/111) of subjects vaccinated at 0, 6 or 0, 12 months remained seropositive for anti‐HAV antibodies, with geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of 289.2 and 367.4 mIU/ml, respectively. An additional dose of HAV vaccine (1,440 El.U) was administered to the six subjects who had become seronegative for anti‐HAV antibodies since year 11. All subjects mounted a humoral immune response to the additional HAV challenge dose, although post‐challenge anti‐HAV antibody levels remained low in one subject. These studies represent the longest annual follow‐up of hepatitis A vaccine in healthy adults. The immune response induced by two doses of this inactivated HAV vaccine was shown to persist for at least 15 years. No difference in long‐term antibody persistence was observed between the two primary vaccination schedules, reinforcing the potential for flexibility in the timing of the second primary vaccine dose. J. Med. Virol. 83:1885–1891, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Safety and immunogenicity of subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of a monovalent inactivated vaccine against Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae in healthy volunteers

The safety and immunogenicity of a monovalent inactivated vaccine against Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae was evaluated in 84 volunteers according to the route of administration, i.e., subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM), in a double-blind randomised trial. The volunteers were randomised into four groups: SC vaccine; IM vaccine; SC placebo; and IM placebo. Primary vaccination comprised two injections on day 0 and day 14, with a booster after 6 months. A second booster was given 30 months after primary vaccination. Local reactions within 1 h of injections were rare, with no difference between vaccine groups. Local reactions within 3 h were more frequent after the second, third and fourth SC injections than after IM injections. Systemic reactions never occurred within 1 h of vaccination and were rare within 3 days; the rates were comparable for the different vaccine groups. Evolution of the antibody responses, as assessed by microscopic agglutination tests and specific IgG and IgM ELISAs, were similar for both injection routes. IgG seroconversion rates after the first booster were 97% (95% CI 80-100%) for the SC vaccine group, and 96% (95% CI 80-100%) for the IM vaccine group, and both reached 100% for IgG after the second booster. The safety and immunogenicity of the anti-leptospiral vaccine were both good. Monitoring of antibody levels established that a booster dose triggered a strong antibody response in fully vaccinated subjects at 30 months after primary vaccination.     

Immunogenicity and safety in adults of hepatitis A virus vaccine administered as a single dose with a booster 6 months later

An inactivated vaccine against hepatitis A was administered as a single 1,440 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) units dose at month 0 with a booster at month 6 to 200 subjects divided into two age groups: group 1, 20–39 years (n = 134) and group II, 40–62 years (n = 66). At day 15, the seropositivity rates were 90% and 77% in groups I and II, respectively. At month 1 the seropositivity rate was 97% in both groups. At month 6 the seropositivity rates were 94% and 88% in groups I and II, respectively. One month after the booster, at month 7, 100% in both groups had become seropositive. The vaccine was well tolerated and did not cause any severe reactions. The results indicate that a single high vaccine dose offers protection against hepatitis A virus (HAV) for at least 6 months in the majority of cases where rapid vaccination is required even in travellers of older age. A booster dose will ensure long-term protection. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Hepatitis B Virus Antibody Levels 7 to 9 Years after Booster Vaccination in Alaska Native Persons

Hepatitis B antibody persistence was assessed in individuals who had previously received a vaccine booster. We measured hepatitis B surface antigen antibody (anti-HBs) levels 7 to 9 years post-hepatitis B booster in individuals with primary vaccination at birth. While 95 (91.3%) of 104 participants had detectable anti-HBs (minimum, 0.1 mIU/ml; maximum, 1,029 mIU/ml), only 43 (41%) had protective levels of ≥10 mIU/ml. Pre- and week 4 postbooster anti-HBs levels were significant predictors of hepatitis B immunity at follow-up (P < 0.001). Almost all participants had detectable anti-HBs 7 to 9 years after the hepatitis B vaccine booster, but less than half had levels ≥10 mIU/ml.