Immunogenicity of Cuban hepatitis B vaccine in Iranian children

Background – To determine the response of Iranian children to Cuban hepatitis B vaccine.Methods – A total of 538 children who had received three doses of Cuban hepatitis B vaccine were classified into 4 groups of 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after the third dose of vaccination. Every group was subdivided into nonresponders, hyporesponders, and good-responders.Results – Of 538 vaccinees, 240 (44.6%) were females. In Group I, of 230 (42.75%) vaccinees, 25 (10.9%) were nonresponders, 51 (22.1%) hyporesponders, and 154 (67%) good-responders. In Group II, consisting of 98 (18.2%), 18 (18.4%) were nonresponders, 38 (38.8%) hyporesponders, and 42 (42.6%) good-responders. In Group III, of 100 (18.58%) vaccinees, 8(8%) were non-responders, 32 (32%) hyporesponders, and 60 (60%) good-responders. In Group IV, with 110 (20.4%) vaccinees, 31 (28.1%) were nonresponders, 30 (27.3%) hyporesponders, and 49 (44.5%) good-responders. Conclusion – Of the total 538 vaccinees, 305 (56.7%) were good-responders, 149 (27.7%) hyporesponders, and 84 (15.6%) nonresponders. Both rates of vaccinees and concentration of anti-HBs in the good-responders were low and the number of hyporesponders and nonresponders were high.