Management of non-responder health care workers to hepatitis B routine vaccination

Introdoction: Hepatitis B comprises one of the major health problems worldwide. Health Care Workers (HCW) are a group at risk for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. The aim of this study is Management of non-responder health care workers to hepatitis B routine vaccination. Methods: In a descriptive-analytical study conducted in the Department of infectious diseases in the University Of Medical Sciences Of Tabriz, Non-responder cases of HCWs to HBV vaccination were studied and management. Results and Conclusions: 36.8% of HCWs were male and 63.3% of them were female. Mean age of male HCWs was 34.05 +/- 8.58 year and in female HCWs was 30.43 +/- 6.15 year (P<0.001). Mean of Primary response antibody titer in male HCWs was 340.59 +/- 205.15 IU/L and in female HCWs was 282.75 +/- 194.22 IU/L (P=0.011). Mean of Secondary response (after one booster dose) antibody titer in male HCWs was 388.52 +/- 175.25 IU/L and in female HCWs was 357.81 +/- 164.24 IU/L (P=0.110). Non responder rate of HCWs for Routine vaccination (tree dose at 0,1 and 6 months) was 31(9.36%). Non responder rate of HCWs after one booster dose vaccination (after tree dose at 0,1 and 6 months) was 7(2.11%). Non responder rate of HCWs for secondary tree time (with double dose) vaccination (after tree dose at 0,1 and 6 months +/- one booster dose vaccination) was 2(0.6%). This method seems best suited for routine immunization of people who give inappropriate response to routine vaccination. Those who did not respond to this method too, are recommended to be excluded from high risk activities in terms of exposure such as needle stick, and in case of any possible exposure, HBIG should be applied. [Varshochi M, Mohammad Shahi J. Management of non-responder health care workers to hepatitis B routine vaccination. Life Sci J 2012; 9(4): 4551-4554] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 682