Factors Associated with Hepatitis B Vaccine Response Among Dentists

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate personal and immunization factors associated with serologic evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine response. A study was conducted using data from United States dentists participating from 1987 to 1991 in the Health Screening Program of the American Dental Association's annual session. This study included dentists (n = 507) who (1) received their most recent dose of HBV vaccine within the previous 10 months, (2) completed a core questionnaire, and (3) were tested for HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc) and were found not to have evidence of past or present infection. Non-responders were defined as dentists testing negative for all three markers (n = 100). Responders were defined as dentists having serological evidence of anti-HBs alone (n = 407). Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship of vaccine response to the variables sex, age, number of vaccine doses, site of vaccination, type of vaccine, and history of hepatitis. Vaccine response was most strongly associated with sex, age, and number of doses. Factors unrelated to vaccine response included type of vaccine and history of hepatitis. Adherence to the recommended number of doses and early vaccination are critical to adequate protection against hepatitis B infection of dentists, who are often exposed to blood and other body fluids.

Seropositivity for hepatitis B virus, vaccination coverage, and vaccine response in dentists from Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

“…In this study, among those with full-scheme vaccination, only 5.7% subjects reported the post-vaccination test, which is in agreement with other studies (Cleveland et al 1994, Sorabjee & Garje 2004, Saffar et al 2005, Oh et al 2005. These data suggest that dentists should be counseled to detect anti-HBs one or two months after completing the three-dose vaccination series.…”

“…Furthermore, the frequency of vaccine response was significantly lower among older subjects, in accordance with other authors (Ferraz et al 1992, Cleveland et al 1994, Cuevas et al 1997, Averhoff et al 1998, Arca et al 1998, Silva et al 2005. Consistent with previous investigations (Zumaeta et al 1995, Prakash et al 2000, differences in vaccine response were not observed regarding gender, smoking status, vaccination schedule, vaccine administration route, and vaccine site, although females and nonsmokers are more likely to demonstrate high vaccine response (Cleveland et al 1994, Averhoff et al 1998.…”

Aderência a medidas de proteção individual contra a hepatite B entre cirurgiões-dentistas e auxiliares de consultório dentário

“…A vacinação contra a hepatite B é um importante adjunto às precauções padrão para profissionais da saúde que podem sofrer exposições ocupacionais a sangue e fluidos corporais 3 . A primeira vacina contra a hepatite B foi disponibilizada em 1982 4 .…”

“…Contudo, aproximadamente 10% a 20% dos indivíduos vacinados não alcançam os títulos protetores de anticorpos 4 . O Ministério da Saúde 2 recomenda que, 30 dias após a administração da úl-tima dose do esquema vacinal contra a hepatite B, os membros da equipe odontológica verifiquem se foram efetivamente imunizados através de exames imunológicos.…”

Broader vaccination of expatriates against HBV infection: do we reach those at highest risk?

“…These associations were more pronounced when the serological definition was used. This might indicate that young, female expatriates are more willing to be vaccinated and, as suggested in other papers, 15,16 may have a better response to the vaccination. However, we must emphasize that the large differences in the serological vaccination status, relating to the length of stay, are probably also due to decreasing antibody titres over time.…”