Quality of HBsAg-specific immune memory: response to hepatitis-B-revaccination in adolescents 10 – 15 years after immunization in infancy

Introduction: According to the recommendations of the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) infants are vaccinated within the first two years, with no routine booster dose in later life. Thus, up to 50% of individuals lose protecting antibodies within 10 to 15 years, becoming again susceptible to hepatitis B infection. However, the presence of immune memory leading to an anamnestic immune response after contact with hepatitis B virus should protect these individuals against hepatitis B disease. Study population, material and methods: To analyse the quality of HBsAg-specific immune memory after vaccina…