The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibody response to HBV in children who had taken a complete hepatitis B vaccination series during infancy and estimate the long-term immunity toward infection with the hepatitis B. In a cross-sectional study of 400 vaccinated children (2-13 years old) we measured anti-HBsAb levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The study found the percentage of responders to Hepatitis B vaccine among children (who had HBsAb≥10 mIU/ml) were 308/400 (77%), while non-responders (who had HBsAb<10 IU/ml) were 92/400 (23%). According to gender, the responders were 46.8 % in female and 53.2% in male, while non-responders were 51.1% in female and 48.9% in male respectively where there is no significant differences between two groups (P>0.5). Distribution of responders to HB vaccine according to Age showed 91.25%, 79.84 and 54.3% at age groups (2-5), (6-9) and (10-13) years old respectively, while non-responders were 8.75% at age (2-5) years and increased to 20.16% and 45.7% in age groups (6-9) and (10-13) years old respectively. A decline in HBsAb has been observed with progression with the age (P=0.000). However there was no significant difference between responders and non-responders in relation to residency (P>0.05). The present study showed a decline in HBsAb levels with the age progression wanted a second booster dose of Hepatitis B vaccine.

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