Immune Response to Recombinant Purified Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Vaccine among Health Care Workers in Jos, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Seroconversion rates reported after Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination globally ranges from 85–90%. Health care workers (HCW) in health institutions are at risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection. Therefore, this study determined through qualitative evaluation of immune responses to recombinant purified hepatitis B surface antigen vaccine among health care workers in Jos, North central Nigeria. Methods: Health care workers who had received recombinant purified HBsAg vaccine at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), AIDS Prevention in Nigeria (APIN) supported HIV were evaluated for immune response through qualitative method 6 weeks post-vaccination. Descriptive observational study design was used in this survey from April 2012 to June 2013 Results: Study subjects (HCW) were 115. Females were 68 (59.1%), males were 47(40.9%). Study participants were between the ages of 25-34 years (51.3%) regardless of gender. Out of the 115 participants examined 99(86.1%) had established HBsAb while 16(13.9%) remained seronegative after six weeks of post vaccination. The mean age of responders was 36.0 ±6.9years. Conclusion: Our study showed that majority of the HCW at APIN JUTH, who received the purified recombinant HBsAg vaccine had immunologic response. This response is however varied according to age groups. The study participants who are aged less than 44 years were more likely to respond satisfactorily. These underscore the importance of checking immune response to this vaccine among HCW, to ensure they are protected against nosocomial acquisition of HBV. Health care workers who fail to respond to vaccination after standard dosing should be given a fourth dose or the entire course of vaccination repeated