HBsAg-specific humoral and cellular immune memory after hepatitis B booster vaccination in adolescents 10 – 15 years after immunization in infancy

Up to 50% of individuals lose protecting antibodies within 10 to 15 years after primary vaccination against hepatitis B. However, the presence of immune memory should protect these individuals against hepatitis B disease. To analyze the quality of HBsAg-specific immune memory we studied the kinetics of humoral and cellular immune responses after a booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine in adolescents with anti-HBs below 10 IU/l. Adolescents 14 to 18 years old were tested for anti-HBs 10 to 15 years after infant immunization. Individuals with anti-HBs concentrations below 10 IU/l were offered a booster dose and the…