Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antibody among previously vaccinated healthcare workers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Ibragimov R. Nabirova D. Denebaeva A. Kurbanov B. Horth R.
2024 Taylor and Francis Ltd.

Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics
2024 #20 Issue 1

Healthcare workers (HCW) have high occupational risk for hepatitis B and Uzbekistan held two HCW vaccination campaigns in 2015 and 2022. Hepatitis B antibody testing (anti-HBs) after Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination is recommended by the U.S. CDC and WHO for HCW, but Uzbekistan does not have such a policy. In 2023, we randomly selected HCW from the campaign registries. Participants who agreed were interviewed at their workplaces. Vaccination doses were self-reported. Testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), Total hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), and anti-HBs were concurrently performed. We used multivariable Poisson regression to assess factors associated with anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL. Of 334 participants, 205 were vaccinated in 2015 and 129 in 2022. Median age was 40 years (interquartile range 35–49 years), and 87% were female. Most (71%) reported having completed the three doses, 21% two doses and 7% one dose. Testing revealed that 5% had an active HBV infection, 4% had a resolved infection, and 91% had detectable vaccine-derived antibodies. Among those (n = 303), 71% had anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL. For those who reported receiving 1, 2, and 3 doses, protective titers were 59%, 70%, and 72%, respectively. Protective titers were lower for HCW that worked in clinics versus hospitals (aPR = 0.92, CI: 0.87–0.98, p =.01) adjusting for age, dose number and presence of chronic conditions. Strategies to improve completion of the 3-dose series and policies for post-vaccination immunity testing 1–2 months after completion of the 3-dose HepB series could help identify workers who may require revaccination or are currently infected.

health personnel , hepatitis B antibodies , Hepatitis B virus , immunization , immunization programs , Uzbekistan , vaccination

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Central Asia Field Epidemiology Training Program, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Department of Medical and Preventive Care, Kazakh National Medical University Named After S. D. Asfendiyarov, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Department of Scientific Research, Innovation, and Training, Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health under the Ministry of Health, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Division of Global Health Protection in Central Asia, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Almaty, Kazakhstan
AIDS Prevention and Control Center, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Central Asia Field Epidemiology Training Program
Department of Medical and Preventive Care
Department of Scientific Research
Division of Global Health Protection in Central Asia
AIDS Prevention and Control Center

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