Author/Authors :
Kazemi, A. zanjan university of medical sciences - Vali-Asr Medical Centre - Department of Paediatrics, زنجان, ايران , Koosha, A. zanjan university of medical sciences - Vali-Asr Medical Centre - Department of Paediatrics, زنجان, ايران , Rafizadeh, B. , Mousavinasab, N. zanjan university of medical sciences - Vali-Asr Medical Centre - Department of Social Medicine, زنجان, ايران , Mahram, M. zanjan university of medical sciences - Vali-Asr Medical Centre - Department of Paediatrics, زنجان, ايران
Abstract :
The duration of protection after hepatitis B vaccination in children is unknown. We determined the serum level of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBsAg) in 273 randomly selected 7–9-year-old schoolchildren from Zanjan City, Islamic Republic of Iran, who had been fully vaccinated against hepatitis B starting at birth. Titres ≤ 10 mIU/mL were considered unprotective. Just over half of the children (52%) had titres ≤ 10 mIU/mL with no difference between the sexes, while 81 (29.7%) had no anti-HBsAg (0 mIU/mL). Three of the children had antibodies to hepatitis B core protein. More studies are needed to determine the necessity for or timing of booster doses.
