Antibody persistence and immune memory 4 years post-vaccination with combined hepatitis A and B vaccine in adults aged over 40 years.

Author(s): Chlibek R, von Sonnenburg F, Van Damme P, Smetana J, Tichy P, Gunapalaiah B, Leyssen M, Jacquet JM

Affiliation(s): Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. chlibek@pmfhk.cz

Publication date & source: 2011-03, J Travel Med., 18(2):145-8. Epub 2011 Feb 7.

Publication type: Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Persistence of immune response was assessed in adults aged >40 years (N = 596) following primary vaccination with combined hepatitis A/B vaccine or concomitant monovalent hepatitis A and B vaccines. Anti-hepatitis A virus antibody responses persisted for at least 4 years regardless of the vaccine used, with anti-hepatitis B surface antibody responses higher and more sustained in subjects who received the combined hepatitis A/B vaccine. Response rates to an additional dose of the same vaccine(s) used for priming were high. (c) 2011 International Society of Travel Medicine.