HBV Vaccine Shows Strong and Long-Lasting Effectiveness

A recent study demonstrated that the hepatitis B vaccine has shown substantial effectiveness in protecting against HBV infection and has maintained strong protection for 20 years

Results from a recent study demonstrated that the hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine has shown substantial effectiveness in protecting against HBV infection and has maintained strong protection for 20 years, within the timeline of universal infant vaccination. Researchers also noted that this vaccine was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause and cancer-related mortality.

Since 1991 in the US, the hepatitis B vaccine has been included in infant immunization standards. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the vaccine against HBV infection and the impact it has on mortality.

Researchers looked at a population from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2018. A total of 64,107 participants were included, all aged 6 years or older, with HBV vaccination history and HBV serologic testing. Of those participants, 29,600 (40.7%) completed the HBV vaccine (≥3 dose, vaccinated). For participants aged 18 years and older with linked mortality records from 1999-2014, there was also a mortality analysis.

Participants who were vaccinated had a higher prevalence of vaccine-induced immunity than unvaccinated (47.2% vs 7.4%). Those born after 1991 showed a vaccine effectiveness of 58% (95% CI, 18%-79%) overall and 85% for those aged 20 years or older (mean age of 22). However, there was no effect found among those born prior to 1990.

Researchers also found that the HBV vaccination was associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality (HR=0.78, 95% CI, 0.68-0.90) and cancer-related mortality (HR=0.76, 95% CI, 0.58-1.00), but not for cardiovascular-related mortality.

—Allison Casey

He W-Q, Guo GN, Li C. The impact of hepatitis B vaccination in United States, 1999-2018. Hepatology. Published online first: December 2021. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.32265