Hepatitis B vaccines

Immunization is the most effective way to prevent transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the development of acute or chronic hepatitis B. The strategy to eliminate HBV transmission in the United States is to vaccinate all newborn infants, children, and adolescents, as well as high-risk adults. Postexposure prophylaxis is advocated after a documented exposure, depending on vaccination history and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) status. Seroprotection after hepatitis B vaccination, defined as anti-HBs HBs epsilon 10 mIU/mL, is achieved in more than 95% of subjects. Hepatitis B vaccines are very well tolerated with usually minimal adverse effects. Increasing age, male gender, obesity, tobacco smoking, and immunocompromising chronic diseases are predictors of nonresponse to vaccination.