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The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013

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immune memory persists and is thought to result in a protective immune<br />

response on re-exposure. 79 However, booster doses are recommended for persons<br />

who are immunocompromised, in particular those with either HIV infection or<br />

renal failure. <strong>The</strong> time for boosting in such persons should be decided by regular<br />

monitoring of anti-HBs levels at 6- to 12-monthly intervals. 72<br />

Serological testing prior to hepatitis B vaccination<br />

Routine antenatal screening of all pregnant women for HBsAg is recommended<br />

to allow appropriate measures to be implemented to prevent newborn infants<br />

developing chronic HBV infection49-51 (see ‘Management of infants born to<br />

mothers who are HBsAg-positive’ above).<br />

Serological testing for evidence of past (or current) hepatitis B infection prior<br />

to vaccination may be warranted for certain older children, adolescents<br />

and adults. This is particularly so for those at increased risk of acquiring<br />

hepatitis B infection, such as persons who inject drugs, sex industry workers,<br />

immunocompromised persons, and those living in communities with higher<br />

prevalence of HBV, including migrant communities and Aboriginal and Torres<br />

Strait Islander people. Serological testing enables identification of persons who<br />

were infected by HBV, to facilitate timely appropriate clinical management and<br />

prevention of onward transmission, hence reducing population impact of HBV<br />

infection. Testing also identifies those who are susceptible to HBV infection and,<br />

as such, should be offered vaccination if they continue to have a high exposure<br />

risk (see 4.5.7 Recommendations above). 70 Testing for immunity to hepatitis A<br />

infection (and vaccination of susceptible at-risk persons with combination<br />

hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccines) may also be indicated for some population<br />

groups at increased risk of hepatitis A exposure (see 4.4 Hepatitis A).<br />

Interpretation of the results of serological testing may be enhanced by discussion<br />

with the laboratory that performed the test, ensuring that relevant clinical<br />

information is provided.<br />

Serological testing following hepatitis B vaccination<br />

Anti-HBs antibody and HBsAg levels should be measured in infants born to<br />

mothers with chronic hepatitis B infection 3 to 12 months after completing the<br />

primary vaccine course (for more information see ‘Management of infants born<br />

to mothers who are HBsAg-positive’ above).<br />

Other than for infants born to mothers with chronic hepatitis B infection, postvaccination<br />

serological testing is recommended 4 to 8 weeks after completion of<br />

the primary course for persons in the following categories:<br />

• those at significant occupational risk (e.g. healthcare workers whose work<br />

involves frequent exposure to blood and body fluids)<br />

• those at risk of severe or complicated HBV disease (e.g. persons who are<br />

immunocompromised, and persons with pre-existing liver disease not related<br />

to hepatitis B)<br />

PART 4 VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES 225<br />

4.5 HEPATITIS B

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