Booster vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine four years after priming with one single dose

We here studied the antibody response to a booster dose four years after the administration of one single dose of recombinant HE vaccine. Before receiving the booster dose, levels of protective antibodies (anti-HBs) were generally low and 24/41 (59%) individuals lacked detectable antibodies (<1 IU/L). Within 14 d of booster vaccination, 36/38 (95%) vaccinees showed levels of antibodies > 100 IU/L. Notably, these levels were at least as high as those of a reference group 12 months after initiation of vaccination according to the standard three-dose vaccination at intervals of 0, 1 and 6 months. In conclusion, one single dose of HE vaccine seemed to confer on young healthy individuals a well preserved B cell memory, disclosed as a rapid and strong antibody response to a second dose four years later. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.