Purpose For young adults born after the neonatal hepatitis B immunization program, especially those who were 20-33 years old after 1987, additional hepatitis B vaccination may have the benefit of strengthening protection from acute hepatitis B infection among high-risk groups. However, how many doses are most appropriate for the protection of high-risk groups is still an issue to be resolved. This study aims to provide the evidence-based clinical guide to help decide the revaccination doses of hepatitis B vaccine that the high-risk young adults without hepatitis B seroprotective antibodies (anti-HBs titer<10 mIU/mL) need to take.~Materials and Methods From August 2021 to July 2024, the investigator will invite young adults born in Taiwan over the age of 20 and born after 1987, who have received a full course of hepatitis B vaccine at least three doses at their infant period. Those who are all negative for hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs) and surface antigens (HBsAg) are enrolled to 4 groups according to the anti-HBs titer concentration (anti-HBs titer between 2.5-10 mIU/mL is a low concentration, anti-HB titer less than 2.5 mIU/mL is an extreme low concentration) with one or two doses of hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B) administered, respectively. Each group recruits 60 cases to reach a total of 240 participants. Each participant was followed for 12 months, and the anti-HBs titer concentration was measured in 0, 7-10 days, 28 days, 24- 28 weeks, and 48-52 weeks. The investigator will calculate the anti-HBs titer reaction rate and immune response after receiving hepatitis B vaccine(s) at each stage, and do further univariate and multivariate analysis.~Expected Results This prospective cohort study can help understand the difference in the anti-HBs titer response after 1 or 2 revaccination doses by the anti-HBs titer concentration as well as the two different types of hepatitis B vaccination in childhood It is expected to provide an important reference for the administration of hepatitis B vaccine in young adults of high-risk groups.
This prospective cohort study aims to provide the evidence-based clinical guide to help decide the revaccination doses of hepatitis B vaccine that the high-risk young adults without hepatitis B seroprotective antibodies (anti-HBs titer<10 mIU/mL) need to take.