HBV vaccine

This decrease in infection rates is, in large part, due to the increased use of the HBV vaccine.

The HBV vaccine, now in worldwide use, was shown to reduce the incidence of liver carcinoma.

Hilleman hypothesized that he could make an HBV vaccine by injecting patients with hepatitis B surface protein.

The test is done to determine the need for vaccination-the antibody will be present after receiving the HBV vaccine series, showing that you have protection (immunity) from the virus.

Trials of immunomodulatory agents to improve HBV vaccine responses have led to mixed results, and data are currently insufficient to warrant a recommendation favoring their use (CIII).

Following the recommendation of the World Health Organization in 1992, HBV vaccine has been used globally and was, at the time, the only immunization available to prevent a major human cancer.

For known non-responders HBIG + vaccine should be given whilst those in the process of being vaccinated should have an accelerated course of HBV vaccine.

If the person exposed is an HBsAg positive source (a known responder to HBV vaccine) then if exposed to hepatitis B a booster dose should be given.

Cancer immunoprevention by the HBV vaccine can be thought of as a beneficial side effect of vaccine developed and used to prevent hepatitis B. This is not the case with HPV vaccines, which were primarily developed for cancer prevention.

Persons for whom neither a reliable history of completed vaccination against HBV nor a known contraindication to vaccination against HBV exist should receive the first dose of the HBV vaccine series as soon as possible (preferably within 24 hours) and not later than 7 days after the event.