re HBV antibodies <10...?

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Quick question.

I received my HBV series about eleven years ago. We draw bloods annually and check our titres. My last one showed up as

While I know that some say "once protected, always protected", I also know that this protection "supposedly" lasts only 11-12 years.

We just drew our annual employee labs again this week... will be interested to see if it has dropped even lower.

Working in dialysis, I come into contact with a LOT of blood on a daily basis.

So........ should I be concerned, should I get a "booster" ? How long do THEY provide protection? Can one get repeated boosters?

Thanx ! :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.

I had the initial series of HepB vaccine. NO immunity! Repeated vaccine dosing.. NO immunity! Repeated it again.. NO immunity. I gave up!! I won't take any additional vaccine after recieving three sets. They say that a certain percentage of the population don't respond to the vaccine. I guess I'm one of them!

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Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.

Here is the response from the CDC website:

"Current data show that vaccine-induced hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) levels may decline over time; however, immune memory (anamnestic anti-HBs response) remains intact indefinitely following immunization. Persons with declining antibody levels are still protected against clinical illness and chronic disease.

For health care workers with normal immune status who have demonstrated an anti-HBs response following vaccination, booster doses of vaccine are not recommended nor is periodic anti-HBs testing."

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/factvax.htm

Universal precautions should protect us, so I imagine that you'll be okay, imo.

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I know when I tried to get into nursing school and was getting my vacinations in order, they titred (is that even a word? :chuckle ) my blood and it came back negative for HepB antibodies even though I had been vaccinated 10+ years ago. I decided to redo the HepB series. I got the 1st injection, and when I went for the 2nd injection they ran another titre. Lo and behold!! I was immune. So I think for some people the antibodies kick in once there is exposure to the virus. I was just happy I didn't have to go through the whole series again.

-Bobcat

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