Waning immunity to plasma‐derived hepatitis B vaccine and the need for boosters 15 years after neonatal vaccination

Neonatal immunization with hepatitis B (HB) vaccine is highly effective; however, more needs to be learned about the duration of protection and indications for boosters. We measured antibody to HB core antigen (anti‐HBc), HB surface antigen (HBsAg), and pre‐ and postbooster titers of HBsAg antibody (anti‐HBs) 15 years after primary neonatal immunization with plasma‐derived HB vaccines in 2 cohorts of 15‐year‐old children. Group A consisted of 78 children who were born to HB e antigen–positive HBsAg carrier mothers and had developed protective levels of anti‐HBs antibodies (≥10 mIU/mL) following HB immunization. Group B consisted of 113 apparently healthy children whose anti‐HBs titers after vaccination were unknown. Anti‐HBs was undetectable (antibody titer