Efficacy of yeast-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine after being used for 12 years in highly endemic areas in China

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and duration of yeast-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-endemic areas. Method: A cross-sectional investigation was carried out in five HBV-endemic areas. Children who were born between 1997 and 2008 and vaccinated with yeast-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine were selected. Serum samples were taken to test HBV infection markers by microparticle enzyme immunoassay, and the results were compared to those before vaccination. Results: 7066 subjects were enrolled. The average adjusted hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence was 1.02%. HBV core antibody (anti-HBc) prevalence was 3.54%. The overall percentage of HBsAg(-)&Anti-HBc(-)&Anti-HBs(+) was 61.34%. With time after immunization, the percentage annually decreases from 86.11% in 2008 to 49.80% in 1997. Geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-HBs decreased significantly annually. The portion of GMC = 100-999.9 mIU/ml was 48.0% in 2008, and decreased to 16.7% in 1997. Conclusion: HBsAg prevalence decreased dramatically. This shows that the yeast-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine is effective and stable after being used for 12 years in HBV-endemic areas. It is not suggested to carry out booster immunization. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.