Protection provided by hepatitis B vaccine in a Yupik Eskimo population--results of a 10-year study.

Abstract

A hepatitis B virus vaccine demonstration project was conducted in southwest Alaska in 1981-1982 to determine the immunogenicity and efficacy of the vaccine. A total of 1630 susceptible persons in the Alaskan Native population were vaccinated with the recommended three-dose regimen of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine, and 94% demonstrated antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) at levels > or = 10 mIU/mL. After 10 years of follow-up, 76% of those immunized had anti-HBs levels > or = 10 mIU. During the 10 years following the first dose of vaccine, 13 study participants developed antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (10 vaccine responders, 3 nonresponders), and none developed sustained HBs positivity or had clinical hepatitis. These data suggest that immunization with hepatitis B vaccine continues to provide high levels of protection from clinical disease for at least 10 years.

• Authors: R B Wainwright, L R Bulkow, A J Parkinson, C Zanis, B J McMahon
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 175 Issue 3 Pg. 674-7 (Mar 1997) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9041341 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hepatitis B Antibodies
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Hepatitis B Vaccines

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Alaska
• Child
• Female
• Hepatitis B (prevention & control)
• Hepatitis B Antibodies (analysis)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (immunology)
• Hepatitis B Vaccines (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Infant
• Inuit
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Time Factors