Immunogenicity of Hepatitis B Vaccine in Infants.

¹Laila M Sherief, ¹Abdalla M Tohamy, ¹Mohamed M Romih and ²Mona R Mohammed.

¹Pediatric and ²Microbiology Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine and to assess the factors that can affect the immune-response to the vaccine in the vaccinated infants. Two hundred infants, their ages ranged between 7 and 15 months were enrolled in the study. They received 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine at 2, 4 and 6 months. Serum specimens were obtained from each infant and were tested for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti Hbs). The results showed that the vaccine was effective in 92.5% of cases. Titers >10 IU/L were obtained in 64.5% and of those 37.5% were adequately responders and 27% were highly responders. The results also revealed no significant differences in the response to the vaccine according to sex, age and residence, but there was significantly different response in relation to weight, length, type of feeding and socioeconomic condition. In Conclusion Hepatitis B vaccine is well tolerated, immunogenic and may prevent hepatitis B virus infection in our locality.