Immunization Status Against Hepatitis B Among Iranian Junior Medical, Nursing, and Obstetrics Students With Different Vaccination Patterns

摘要

Background: Since the protection time by hepatitis B (HB) vaccination is unclear, the strategy of immunization of junior students who previously received hepatitis vaccine is controversial. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the status of immunity to hepatitis B in junior medical, nursing and obstetrics students with different hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination patterns. Patients and Methods: In an analytical cross-sectional study, 255 junior medical sciences students were tested for quantitative antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). The proportion of protective immunity was compared in different vaccination patterns. Results: Vaccination coverage rates were 74.1%. About half the participants didn’t show serological evidence of protective immunity; 68.9% had their last shot more than 10 years ago and 30.4% had a vaccination history of five years or less (P Conclusions: This study shows lower anti-HBs among students who were vaccinated at infancy compared to those vaccinated at older childhood or adolescence. Also, subsequent measurement of anti-HBs level at the time of entrance to university is recommended for all previously immunized students.