Mindy & Betty's Medical Mysteries

Vaccination for Hepatitis B

  • Successful vaccination will produce anti–HBs of 10 milli-international units per millilitre (mIU/ml) or more, 1–2 months after vaccines have been completed
  • HBsAG may be transiently positive for 2–3 weeks following vaccination
  • Positive anti–HBs indicates immunity after vaccination. The antibody levels will naturally decline over time without repeat exposure to HBV. Immunity is likely to be maintained even if levels decline below 10mIU/ml
  • The vaccine does not contain the core antigen, so does not cause anti–HBc positivity
  • Anti–HBs >10 = immunity, no action needed
  • Anti–HBs <10 = not immune/ immunity has declined/ maybe requires a booster vaccine