Should College Students Get a Hepatitis B Vaccine Boost or Complete the Series?

Q: Should College Students Get a Hepatitis B Vaccine Boost or Complete the Series?

Dear Mr. <br>Hank：<br>1. <br>In our country, since 1985, infants and young children have been comprehensively vaccinated against Hepatitis B. <br>Therefore, given your age, you should have received the complete series of Hepatitis B vaccinations; you can verify this by checking t

Hepatitis B vaccine

Hello Doctor,
I am a college freshman.
During the freshman health check-up, I was advised to consult about receiving the Hepatitis B vaccine.
After consulting with a family medicine doctor at school, the doctor presented two options: (1) pay out of pocket for an additional dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine, or (2) follow the "0-1-6 month" schedule to receive three doses.
For precautionary reasons, I chose option (2) and received the first dose of the three.
However, I later realized that I had already completed the Hepatitis B vaccination series during childhood, so I should only need one additional dose instead of the full three doses.

I would like to ask the doctor if I can return to the family medicine doctor in one month to have a blood test.
If the surface antibody test is positive, I would not need to receive any more doses.
If the surface antibody test is negative, I would then complete the remaining two doses of the series.
Is this approach feasible, or do I need to complete all three doses regardless? Thank you, Doctor.

hank, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/11/11

Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine

Dear Mr.
Hank:
1.
In our country, since 1985, infants and young children have been comprehensively vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
Therefore, given your age, you should have received the complete series of Hepatitis B vaccinations; you can verify this by checking the vaccination records in your household.
2.
From a clinical perspective, many individuals may lose the antibodies produced by the vaccine years after vaccination; hence, there are practices for administering a booster dose or a three-dose series.
Which protocol to choose? Currently, due to a lack of evidence-based research, there is no unified approach in the medical community.
In other words, it varies by institution or individual.
3.
In the hospital where I personally serve, due to the risk of occupational exposure, it is mandated that employees without detectable antibodies receive a three-dose series; some schools or institutions may require an initial dose to check for antibody production before deciding whether to continue with the remaining two doses.
4.
I recommend that you discuss this matter with your primary care physician before making a decision.

Reply Date: 2019/11/11

More Info

As a college student, it's understandable to have questions about your Hepatitis B vaccination status, especially when you are advised to consider additional doses. Based on the information provided, it appears that you have already received the complete series of Hepatitis B vaccinations during childhood, which is common for individuals born after 1985 in many countries, including the United States.

Understanding Hepatitis B Vaccination
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic diseases. The Hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection and is typically administered in a series of three doses: the first dose at 0 months, the second dose at 1 month, and the third dose at 6 months.

Assessing Your Situation
Since you mentioned that you have already completed the vaccination series as a child, it is indeed reasonable to check your antibody levels before deciding on further vaccinations. The presence of Hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs) indicates immunity to the virus. If your blood test shows that you have a sufficient level of anti-HBs (typically above 10 mIU/mL), you are considered protected against Hepatitis B, and no further vaccination is necessary.

Proposed Plan
Your plan to have your blood drawn one month after your first dose of the new series is a sound approach. If the test results show that you have a positive anti-HBs level, you can confidently conclude that you are immune and do not need additional doses. Conversely, if the test shows a negative result, it would be advisable to complete the remaining doses of the vaccine series to ensure adequate protection.

Recommendations
1. Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Before proceeding with the blood test, discuss your vaccination history with your healthcare provider. They may have specific recommendations based on your health status and local guidelines.

2. Get Tested: After one month, have your blood drawn to check for anti-HBs levels. This will provide clarity on your immunity status.

3. Follow Up: If your anti-HBs levels are low or negative, proceed with the remaining doses of the vaccine series as recommended by your healthcare provider.

4. Stay Informed: Keep a record of your vaccination history and any tests you undergo. This information is crucial for future healthcare decisions.

Conclusion
In summary, your approach to check your antibody levels before deciding on further vaccinations is both practical and medically sound. It allows you to avoid unnecessary vaccinations while ensuring that you are adequately protected against Hepatitis B. Always remember that maintaining open communication with your healthcare provider is key to managing your health effectively.

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