From the Research
No additional doses of hepatitis B vaccine are needed if your hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) level is greater than 25 mIU/mL. This antibody level indicates you have developed adequate immunity against hepatitis B virus, either from previous vaccination or natural infection. A level above 10 mIU/mL is generally considered protective, so your level of greater than 25 mIU/mL demonstrates good immune response. This immunity is likely to be long-lasting, possibly lifelong for most individuals. If you received a complete hepatitis B vaccination series in the past, this antibody result confirms you responded appropriately to the vaccine.
Key Points to Consider
- For immunocompetent individuals, routine booster doses are not recommended once adequate antibody levels have been documented 1.
- Certain high-risk individuals such as healthcare workers, dialysis patients, or immunocompromised persons may need periodic antibody testing to ensure continued protection 2.
- A study published in 2021 found that most patients with underlying diseases had an anamnestic response to a booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine, but the response rate was lower compared to individuals at occupational risk 3.
- Another study published in 2016 found that among participants with anti-HBs levels <10 mIU/mL who received a booster dose, 88% responded with an anti-HBs level ≥10 mIU/mL at 30 days 1.
Recommendations
- Immunocompetent individuals with an anti-HBs level greater than 25 mIU/mL do not require additional doses of hepatitis B vaccine.
- High-risk individuals should undergo periodic antibody testing to ensure continued protection against hepatitis B virus.
- Booster doses may be considered for individuals with underlying health conditions or those who are immunocompromised, but the decision should be made on a case-by-case basis.