Immunogenicity of Hepatitis B Vaccine among Medical Staff of Shahid Madani Hospital of Tabriz, Iran

Background & Objectives: Vaccination is one of the best methods of prevention against hepatitis B virus. With respect to various vaccines against this virus and based on the differences of selected factors of immunogenicity, various studies on different groups in different locations is necessary. In present research, therefore the titer amount value of antibody against surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (anti-HBs) was determined and its relation with different factors among medical staff was investigated. Materials & Methods: This study is descriptive observational, retrospective which is conducted using questionnaire and serology tests. 146 persons of medical staff of Shahid Madani Hospital of Tabriz, Iran were the population. The sample size was selected based on the high risk group. Anti-HBs value was measured based on ELISA method. Results: Out of 146 subjects, 32 persons (24%) had no protective titers (anti-HBs<10 MIU/ML), 38 persons (25.3%) had relative protective titers (10≤anti-HBs≤100 MIU/ML), and 76 persons (50.7%) had complete protective titers (anti-HBs>10 MIU/ML). It was indicated that there was a significant relation between antibody titer and age, smoking, and the injection of full dose of vaccine (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical significant relation between level of safety and age, have a contact with patient, and the time elapsed since the last vaccination (p>0.05). Conclusion: Since the medical staff is in the high risk group, full training and vaccination is recommended and their anti-HBs should be analyzed annually and if necessary, revaccination in older ones should be done.