From the Guidelines
You should still get the third dose of the hepatitis B vaccine to complete the series, even though you received the first two doses in 2007. The standard hepatitis B vaccination schedule consists of three doses, with the third dose typically given 6 months after the first dose. While the timing between doses is important for optimal immune response, there is no need to restart the series if a longer interval has occurred between doses, as stated in the 2022 updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 1. The CDC recommends that if the vaccination series is interrupted, the series should be continued from where it left off, regardless of the time that has elapsed. The third dose is crucial for providing long-term protection against hepatitis B infection, as it significantly boosts antibody levels and ensures more complete immunity. Key points to consider include:
- The hepatitis B vaccine schedule does not need to be restarted if interrupted 1
- The third dose should be administered at least 8 weeks after the second dose and at least 16 weeks after the first dose 1
- Inadequate doses or doses received after a shorter-than-recommended interval should be readministered using the correct dosage or schedule 1 Contact your healthcare provider to schedule your third dose as soon as possible to complete your hepatitis B vaccination series and gain full protection against the virus. Some vaccine types, such as Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio, have specific recommendations and limitations, including not being established in adults on hemodialysis or having insufficient data on vaccine-associated risks in pregnancy 1. However, for a standard vaccination series, the focus should be on completing the recommended three doses for optimal protection.
From the FDA Drug Label
Immunization with 10 mcg at 0,1, and 2 months of age produced a seroprotection rate of 96% in infants by month 4, with a GMT among seroconverters of 210 mIU/mL (N = 311); an additional dose at month 12 produced a GMT among seroconverters of 2,941 mIU/mL at month 13 (N = 126) In clinical trials with 242 children aged 6 months to, and including, 10 years given 10 mcg at months 0,1, and 6, the seroprotection rate was 98% 1 to 2 months after the third dose; The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Hepatitis B Vaccine Schedule
- The standard hepatitis B vaccine schedule consists of three doses, typically administered at 0,1, and 6 months 2.
- However, the question arises whether a third dose is still necessary if the first two doses were completed in 2007.
Immune Response and Booster Doses
- Studies have shown that a delayed third dose of hepatitis B vaccine can still elicit a strong immune response 3.
- In fact, one study found that 95.3% of individuals who received their third dose more than 1 year after the second dose had evidence of sero-protection 3.
- Additionally, research has demonstrated that booster doses can be effective in individuals with low or non-responding anti-HBs levels 4, 5, 6.
- For example, a study found that 93.1% of participants with anti-HBs levels < 10 mIU/mL reached protective levels after a booster dose 4.
Long-Term Protection
- The duration of protection from hepatitis B vaccination is not fully understood, but studies suggest that it can last for several decades 5.
- One study found that 86% of participants had evidence of protection 35 years after the primary series, with a booster dose response rate of 73.7% 5.
- However, the need for booster doses in the general population is still a topic of debate, with some studies suggesting that they may not be necessary 5.