Evaluation of the efficacy of hepatitis b vaccine in different age groups of immunized children in gaza strip

الملخص EN

The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of hepatitis B virus immunization program in Gaza strip on preventing hepatitis B virus "HBV" infection, and assesses its impact on the incidence of hepatitis B in children.

The participants in this study were 180 children; 90 males and 90 females categorized into three age groups (2 – 5 y), (6 – 8 y) and (9 –11 y).

Serum samples from each participant were tested for the quantitative determination of anti-hepatitis B virus surface antigen (anti-HBs) antibody using micro particle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) technology as well as immunochromatographic qualitative testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag).

The study showed that the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine was 98.3%.

HBs Ag was not detected in any participant.

The protective level for the (2 – 5 y) and (6 – 8 y) groups were 100% while the protective level for the (9 – 11 y) group was 95% (P ≤ 0.04).

The study also showed that the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine was statistically significant among the three age groups (P < 0.04), especially between (2 – 5 y) group and (9 – 11 y) group, as well as between (2 – 5 y) group and (6 – 8 y).

The results of this study revealed that there was no significant difference between males and females for hepatitis B vaccine efficacy (P > 0.05).

We concluded that the hepatitis B vaccine efficacy is high in immunocompetent population and a booster dose is not necessary at least in the studied age groups, due to the existence of an anamnestic response.