Long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in Egyptian children
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Abstract
In 1992, Egypt adopted a hepatitis B vaccine schedule at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. We evaluated the long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccination using this schedule in 180 children whose time lapse since last vaccination varied between 1 month and 5 years. None of the participants had clinical hepatitis, HBsAg was not detected in any participant and all but one had negative results for anti-HBc test. Although a high seroprotection rate [93.3%] was elicited 1 month after vaccination, there were low initial anti-HBs concentrations and both declined rapidly over time. Thus, the short interval [2 months] between the second and third doses of vaccine is less desirable in the long term. We recommend booster inoculations for all previously vaccinated children and a new vaccination schedule at 1, 2 and 9 monthsCitation
El Sawy, I.H. & Mohamed, O.N. (1999). Long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in Egyptian children. EMHJ - Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 5 (5), 922-932, 1999 https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/118780