The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious concern for people at high risk of exposure to blood in their work because it is very infectious. While infection can be prevented by acquiring antibodies from hepatitis B vaccine, there are low responders and non-responders to the vaccine.
We examined 2 possible methods of overcoming this problem: performing an additional vaccination with a different type of vaccine and carrying out 2 additional vaccinations at monthly intervals. Regarding the former method, an additional vaccination with a different vaccine type was carried out for a subject who could acquire no antibodies after undergoing 2 series of 6 vaccinations and who had not had any antibodies to hepatitis B for about 10 years. One month later, the passive hemagglutination test (PHA test) showed that the subject had obtained a 512-fold increase in the number of antibodies. As for the latter method, 3 of 5 non-responders acquired antibodies. Also, 5 of 6 subjects who were less responsive to the vaccine acquired antibodies and maintained them for at least 3 years.
We intend to improve immunization coverage by using the methods examined in this study.
