Lack of Response to Recombinant Hepatitis B Vaccine in Nonresponders to the Plasma Vaccine

The Updated Immunization Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel

“…Among persons who do not respond to a primary 3-dose vaccine series (i.e., those in whom anti-HBs concentrations of ≥10 mIU/mL were not achieved), 25%-50% respond to an additional vaccine dose, and 44%-100% respond to a 3-dose revaccination series using standard or high dosage vaccine (43,(53)(54)(55)(56)(57)(58). Persons who have measurable but low (i.e., 1-9 mIU/mL) levels of anti-HBs after the initial series have better response to revaccination than persons who have no anti-HBs (49,53,54).…”

“…Persons who have measurable but low (i.e., 1-9 mIU/mL) levels of anti-HBs after the initial series have better response to revaccination than persons who have no anti-HBs (49,53,54). Persons who do not have protective levels of anti-HBs 1-2 months after revaccination either are infected with HBV or can be considered primary nonresponders; for the latter group, genetic factors might be associated with nonresponse to hepatitis B vaccination (54,58,59). ACIP does not recommend more than two vaccine series in nonresponders (52).…”