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Immunizations - travel vaccinations - Management
What schedule is used for hepatitis B vaccination?
- There are several vaccination schedules recommended for Hepatitis B; see Table 1 for more details.
- There is no need to repeat doses if the hepatitis B course has been interrupted.
Table 1. Schedule for Hepatitis B vaccination.
Vaccine | Schedule | Length of protection | Age range |
|---|
Engerix B® | 3 doses: 0, 1, and 6 months. | Lifelong* | Neonates to adults. Note: different dosage for children up to and including 15 years of age. |
HBVaxPRO® 5 micrograms | 3 doses: 0, 1, and 6 months. | Lifelong* | From birth to 15 years. |
HBVaxPRO® 10 micrograms | 3 doses: 0, 1, and 6 months. | See note below* | 16 years and older. |
* A recent study suggests that lifelong immunity may be conferred following a full primary course of vaccine given to healthy persons. Many health care workers are, however, advised to receive a reinforcing dose 5 years after the primary course (according to Department of Health policy). |
|
Basis for recommendation
- These recommendations are based on expert advice from the published medical literature [BNF 52, 2006; DH, 2006c].
- European Consensus Guidelines have recently concluded that repeated serological testing is unnecessary if the initial hepatitis B antibody level is of a satisfactory level.
- Those who develop titres greater than 10 IU/mL are virtually 100% protected against clinical illness and chronic infection.
- Longer than recommended intervals between doses do not appear to reduce the final antibody level or efficacy.
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