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Had Hepatitis B Vaccination And Successfully Developed The Immunity 16
Question: Had Hepatitis B vaccination and successfully developed the immunity 16 years ago (tested for antibodies after vaccination and the test showed a protective concentration of antibodies). Is the vaccine still effective for a healthy not immuno-compromised person if exposed to Hepatitis B today (16 years later from the vaccination date)? I am little confused because some says the vaccination gives long-lasting probably life-long immunity, some says 20 years, some says you require a booster shot after 5 years.
Brief Answer:
The protection lasts about 30 years after HepB vaccination
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Routine immunization against Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended to all newborns and people 19 years old and younger if was not vaccinated before. Vaccination of adult people depends on the risk of Hepatitis B. If a person is not vaccinated and belongs to a high-risk group he/she should be vaccinated.
Recent data shows that immune memory confers protection against Hepatitis B (Hep B) infection lasts about 30 years after the vaccination. Even protective antibodies against the infection disappear in the blood, immune memory can still provide protection against the disease.
The blood test shows you have a protective concentration of antibodies. Please, do not worry, you are protected against Hep B. In immunocompetent adults booster vaccination against hepatitis B is not recommended if a person have protective antibodies.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you.
The protection lasts about 30 years after HepB vaccination
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Routine immunization against Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended to all newborns and people 19 years old and younger if was not vaccinated before. Vaccination of adult people depends on the risk of Hepatitis B. If a person is not vaccinated and belongs to a high-risk group he/she should be vaccinated.
Recent data shows that immune memory confers protection against Hepatitis B (Hep B) infection lasts about 30 years after the vaccination. Even protective antibodies against the infection disappear in the blood, immune memory can still provide protection against the disease.
The blood test shows you have a protective concentration of antibodies. Please, do not worry, you are protected against Hep B. In immunocompetent adults booster vaccination against hepatitis B is not recommended if a person have protective antibodies.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Hi, Dr. XXXXXXX Thank you for answering my question.
You wrote " The blood test SHOWS (present tense) you have a protective concentration of the antibodies.". There might have been some misunderstanding. In my original question, I meant to say the test SHOWED (past tense) a protective concentration 16 years ago. I do not know what the concentration level is now.
Concerned because visited a medical clinic few days ago that seems not to follow hygiene protocol and uses the same oral thermometer on all patients without disinfecting it after its use. This was not a busy clinic so it's probable that the saliva on the thermometer was able to dry up before it was used again on another patient. What are the chances of contracting Hep. B from sharing an unclean oral thermometer considering that the Hep. B vaccine was received 16 years ago and there was no cracks/sore in the mouth and immunocompetent? Is there still nothing to worry about?
Also what are the chances of contracting not just Hep. B, but also contracting other serious infectious diseases such as Hep. C, HIV, meningitis and others (that are not well-known) from having the unclean thermometer in your mouth? Please advise what need to be done (what tests, thing to watch out for, treatment) after such an incident? Or that the chances of infection so low that there is nothing to worry about?
I live in the United States.
You wrote " The blood test SHOWS (present tense) you have a protective concentration of the antibodies.". There might have been some misunderstanding. In my original question, I meant to say the test SHOWED (past tense) a protective concentration 16 years ago. I do not know what the concentration level is now.
Concerned because visited a medical clinic few days ago that seems not to follow hygiene protocol and uses the same oral thermometer on all patients without disinfecting it after its use. This was not a busy clinic so it's probable that the saliva on the thermometer was able to dry up before it was used again on another patient. What are the chances of contracting Hep. B from sharing an unclean oral thermometer considering that the Hep. B vaccine was received 16 years ago and there was no cracks/sore in the mouth and immunocompetent? Is there still nothing to worry about?
Also what are the chances of contracting not just Hep. B, but also contracting other serious infectious diseases such as Hep. C, HIV, meningitis and others (that are not well-known) from having the unclean thermometer in your mouth? Please advise what need to be done (what tests, thing to watch out for, treatment) after such an incident? Or that the chances of infection so low that there is nothing to worry about?
I live in the United States.
Brief Answer:
No need to worry if you do not have open mouth sores or ulcers
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the clarification. Sorry for the misunderstandings. I understand your concerns now.
The chances of getting an infection from the thermometer which was not properly sterilized are pretty low if you do not have open mouth ulcers.
The saliva contains enzymes and antibodies that protect from the most bacterial and viral infections.
Among the Hepatitis viruses, Hepatitis A and E can be transmitted through saliva and the probability of these infections are very low in the US. Hepatitis B, C, D, and HIV are transmitted mostly through the blood and the chances may increase if you have an open oral ulcer. Herpes virus or Epstein Barr virus can be transmitted. But there is no indication for you to start post-exposure prophylaxis for any infection if you do not have open ulcers.
If you have any open sores or concerned about Hepatitis B or any other infections please, contact your doctor. Hepatitis B antibody titer may be checked or postexposure prophylaxis may be indicated.
Hope the information is helpful.
Thank you.
No need to worry if you do not have open mouth sores or ulcers
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the clarification. Sorry for the misunderstandings. I understand your concerns now.
The chances of getting an infection from the thermometer which was not properly sterilized are pretty low if you do not have open mouth ulcers.
The saliva contains enzymes and antibodies that protect from the most bacterial and viral infections.
Among the Hepatitis viruses, Hepatitis A and E can be transmitted through saliva and the probability of these infections are very low in the US. Hepatitis B, C, D, and HIV are transmitted mostly through the blood and the chances may increase if you have an open oral ulcer. Herpes virus or Epstein Barr virus can be transmitted. But there is no indication for you to start post-exposure prophylaxis for any infection if you do not have open ulcers.
If you have any open sores or concerned about Hepatitis B or any other infections please, contact your doctor. Hepatitis B antibody titer may be checked or postexposure prophylaxis may be indicated.
Hope the information is helpful.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
Went through old records and found the Hepatitis B antibody response was 77 IU/L in 2002, which seems to be a decent response after vaccination. Do you think that we no longer need worry about Hep. B infection? Do you feel there is a need for antibody titer or booster vaccine or other post exposure prophylaxix for Hep. B?
Went through old records and found the Hepatitis B antibody response was 77 IU/L in 2002, which seems to be a decent response after vaccination. Do you think that we no longer need worry about Hep. B infection? Do you feel there is a need for antibody titer or booster vaccine or other post exposure prophylaxix for Hep. B?
Brief Answer:
You do not need to worry. The chances of Hep B is very low.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I do not think you have a risk of Hep B. You do not need a booster. As I explained before the vaccine protection fades in about 30 years after the vaccination. Not only specific antibody titer defines protection from an infection but also cells called B memory cells protect vaccinated individuals. These cells have a long life and when a person exposed to an infection (Hep B) they start the process of antibody production.
On the other hand, the vaccine has an efficacy of about 90% (may fail in 10% of cases) and only 5 to 10% of adult people (unvaccinated) exposed to Hep B virus develop chronic disease. The other 90-95% exposed to HepB recover without a treatment. Hep B is dangerous in people younger than 19 years old. Chronic infection may develop about 50% of these age group. Therefore, only people 19 years of age and younger get vaccinated. Older than 19 years old people get vaccinated only if they belong to the risk group (injecting drug users, doctors, chronic kidney/liver disease etc). Additionally, the virus is rarely transmitted through the saliva.
Therefore, I think you do not need to worry. The chances of Hep B is very low.
Hope the information is helpful.
Thank you.
You do not need to worry. The chances of Hep B is very low.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I do not think you have a risk of Hep B. You do not need a booster. As I explained before the vaccine protection fades in about 30 years after the vaccination. Not only specific antibody titer defines protection from an infection but also cells called B memory cells protect vaccinated individuals. These cells have a long life and when a person exposed to an infection (Hep B) they start the process of antibody production.
On the other hand, the vaccine has an efficacy of about 90% (may fail in 10% of cases) and only 5 to 10% of adult people (unvaccinated) exposed to Hep B virus develop chronic disease. The other 90-95% exposed to HepB recover without a treatment. Hep B is dangerous in people younger than 19 years old. Chronic infection may develop about 50% of these age group. Therefore, only people 19 years of age and younger get vaccinated. Older than 19 years old people get vaccinated only if they belong to the risk group (injecting drug users, doctors, chronic kidney/liver disease etc). Additionally, the virus is rarely transmitted through the saliva.
Therefore, I think you do not need to worry. The chances of Hep B is very low.
Hope the information is helpful.
Thank you.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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