Long-term antibody persistence after booster vaccination with combined tetravalent diphtheria, tetanus, whole-cellBordetella pertussisand hepatitis B vaccine in healthy infants

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Abstract
Combining HB vaccine with routine paediatric vaccines has been recognized as the best means of universal vaccination against hepatitis B. Our objective was to evaluate the long-term antibody persistence of such a combined vaccine in an area of high hepatitis B endemicity. We have shown that a DTPw-HB vaccine was safe and immunogenic when given as a booster dose at 18 months of age. One month after the booster dose of DTPw-HB vaccine, at least 97.8% of subjects had seroprotective anti-HBsAg levels, and 1 year later at least 93.9% of these subjects remained seroprotected against HBsAg. Immune responses to the DTPw components were similar or greater than those of the commercial DTPw vaccine given to the control group. This DTPw-HB vaccine, which showed good long-term anti-HBsAg antibody persistence, could advantageously replace separate DTPw and HB vaccines in areas of high hepatitis B endemicity in terms of clinical, economic and strategic benefits.