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- Title
Immune response in infants after universal hepatitis B vaccination: a community-based study in Malaysia.
- Authors
Cheang, H K; Wong, H T; Ho, S C; Chew, K S; Lee, W S; Cheang, Hon Kit; Wong, Hui Tong; Ho, Shu Chien; Chew, Kee Siang; Lee, Way Seah
- Abstract
<bold>Introduction: </bold>This study aimed to assess the immune response in infants who received the three-shot hepatitis B vaccine in Malaysia.<bold>Methods: </bold>Consecutive infants born between March 2002 and April 2010 who received three doses of hepatitis B vaccine at a community clinic in Malaysia were enrolled in the study. Screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody against HBsAg (anti-HBs) was performed after the completion of primary immunisation, at approximately one year of age.<bold>Results: </bold>A total of 572 infants (median age 9.3 ± 2.7 months; range 6.3-48 months) were screened for immune response to hepatitis B vaccination - 553 (96.7%) infants had adequate levels of anti-HBs (≥ 10 IU/L). Of the 440 mothers whose HBsAg status was known, 14 (3.2%) were positive for HBsAg. None of the 14 infants who were born to HBsAg-positive mothers were positive for HBsAg, and all but one infant had anti-HBs level ≥ 10 IU/L. Gender, gestational age and maternal HBsAg status were not found to significantly affect the subsequent immune response in infants following vaccination.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>The proportion of Malaysian mothers who are positive for HBsAg remains high. The three-shot hepatitis B vaccine, given as part of universal vaccination against hepatitis B, provides adequate anti-HBs in the vast majority of infants in a community setting in Malaysia.
- Publication
Singapore Medical Journal, 2013, Vol 54, Issue 4, p224
- ISSN
0037-5675
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.11622/smedj.2013078