Comparison of anti-HBs persistence after hepatitis B vaccination on two-dose schedule and three-dose schedule among adults is still controversial. In this study, adults were followed up at 12 years after the primary immunization. Three hundred and forty-one and 288 adults with age 15 through 40 years old were given anti-HBV vaccination on a 0-, 1-, and 6-month schedule or on a 0- and 6-month one, respectively (in 2003). Blood samples of 202 patients on 0-, 1- and 6-month schedule and 194 patients on 0- and 6-month regimen were collected at one month and twelve years (in 2015) after the primary series and anti-HBs levels were measured. The seroprotection rate for 3-dose schedule and 2-dose one was 71.78% (95%CI = 65.04%, 77.87%) and 53.61% (95%CI = 46.07%, 60.49%). The GMC of anti-HBs was 31 mIU/mL (95%CI = 24, 41) and 12 mIU/mL (95%CI = 9, 17), respectively. Participants using three doses had higher seroprotection rate and GMC (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that subjects with anti-HBs titers ≥100 mIU/ml just after the primary series had a higher probability of anti-HBs levels than <10 mIU/ml and 10-100 mIU/ml at follow-up (OR = 8.36, 95%CI: 3.41-20.49, P< 0.001; OR = 43.28, 95%CI: 11.45-163.51, P< 0.001; β = 0.77, 95%CI: 0.48-1.06, P< 0.001; β = 1.20, 95%CI: 0.86 ~ 1.54, P< 0.001). In conclusions, adults receiving HepB primary immunization on 0-, 1- and 6-month schedule might have more prolonged anti-HBs than those on 0-, 6-month schedule, although good anti-HBs persistence could be achieved after HepB immunization on both schedules.
Keywords: Anti-HBs persistence; adults; hepatitis B vaccination; immunization schedule.