Protection against Hepatitis B virus infection In vaccinated Sri Lankan military service men following a single course of vaccination

Abstract

Vaccination is the prophylactic measure to protect against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HBV vaccination is able to stimulate a long term immune response in healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-HBs levels to assess the protective immunity to HBV vaccination among vaccinated Sri Lankan military service men following a single course of vaccination. After three months of completion of the hepatitis B vaccination, blood samples were collected and the sera were tested for anti-HBs levels using a commercial ELISA. Of the 150 tested military service men, 11 (7.33%) participants acquired anti-HBs levels less than 10mIU/mL (poor responders). The rest of the tested (n=139), participants f acquired anti-HBs levels greater than 10mIU/mL. Of the 139 responders to a single course of vaccination, 36 (24%) had anti-HBs levels between 10-100mIU/mL (hypo responders) and 103 (68.67%) had anti-HBs levels greater than 100mIU/mL (high responders). In conclusion, 7.33% (11/150) of the vaccinated military men did not have adequate levels of anti-HBs. Hence, such military service men need to go for a repeat vaccination and then test for anti-HBs levels. Completing the HBV vaccination and checking the military service men for anti-HBs levels prior to departure from the country for Foreign Service, would be useful to re-vaccinate poor responders to a single course of vaccination.