Suitable hepatitis B vaccine for adult immunization in China

The aim of this study was to evaluate, in adults, the immunogenicity of six hepatitis B vaccines with different doses or different manufacturers in the Chinese market and to provide evidence to support adult hepatitis B vaccination. Participants were randomly divided into six groups (I-VI). Six vaccines (4 at 10 mu g/dose and 2 at 20 mu g/dose) were administered intramuscularly to healthy adults at 0, 1 and 6 month intervals. All participants (16-50 years) who were negative for any hepatitis B virus serological markers were vaccinated. Anti-HBs levels were assessed 1 month and 1 year after the third vaccination. The anti-HBs seroconversion rate (anti-HBs > 10mIU/ml) was 99.4 % (99.9 % for 10 mu g dose groups and 97.9 % for 20 mu g dose groups) 1 month after the third vaccination, and the anti-HBs seroreversion rate was 77.0 % (75.3 and 82.6 %) 1 year after the third vaccination (n = 1036). One month after completing the vaccinations, the seroconversion rates were not significantly different (100.0, 100.0, 99.6, 100.0 %) for the four 10 mu g dose and two 20 mu g dose groups (99.1, 96.9 %). One year after the third vaccination, the group II positive rate was significantly higher than the other three 10 mu g dose groups, and the group VI positive rate was significantly higher than the other 20 mu g dose group. Groups II and VI showed a significantly higher positive rate and anti-HBs geometric mean titer (GMT) than the other groups. The anti-HBs level declined with increasing age, and the seroreversion rate and GMT decreased over time. All six vaccines had high anti-HBs seroconversion rates and good immunization effects. The 10 mu g dose vaccine (Dalian High-Tech) and the 20 mu g dose vaccine (GlaxoSmithKline) are recommended for adults.