Issue 1134: July 24, 2014
Hepatitis B Vaccine Q: In December 2013, CDC released a new document titled CDC Guidance for Evaluating Health-Care Personnel for Hepatitis B Virus Protection and for Administering Postexposure Management. Does the content of this document update ACIP recommendations on healthcare personnel vaccination and hepatitis B? A: The new guidance published by CDC (CDC Guidance for Evaluating Health-Care Personnel for Hepatitis B Virus Protection and for Administering Postexposure Management (MMWR 2013;62[RR-10]) does not constitute new recommendations of ACIP. The CDC guidance was created based on the opinions of an expert panel convened by CDC. According to the document, the guidance from CDC "augments the 2011 recommendations" of the ACIP document titled Immunization of Health-Care Personnel published November 25, 2011 (www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6007.pdf), for evaluating hepatitis B protection among healthcare personnel and administering postexposure prophylaxis.
Q: Does CDC now recommend routine pre-exposure anti-HBs testing of all healthcare personnel who were previously vaccinated? A: In general, no, but the type of testing (pre-exposure or postexposure) depends on the healthcare worker's profession and work setting. An expert panel convened by CDC acknowledged that the risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for vaccinated healthcare personnel (HCP) can vary widely by setting and profession. The risk might be low enough in certain settings that assessment of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) status and appropriate follow-up can be done at the time of exposure to potentially infectious blood or body fluids. This approach relies on HCP recognizing and reporting blood and body fluid exposures and might be applied on the basis of documented low risk, implementation, and cost considerations. Trainees, some occupations (such as those with frequent exposure to sharp instruments and blood), and HCP practicing in certain populations are at greater risk of exposure to blood or body fluid exposure from an HBsAg-positive patient. Vaccinated HCP in these settings/occupations would benefit from a pre-exposure approach. Figure 6 on page 13 of the guidance document provides an algorithm for settings where the choice is to use a pre-exposure approach. Table 2, found on page 14 of the document, provides the algorithm when postexposure management is implemented. The document, tables, and figures are available at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6210.pdf. Back to top Q: If an employee receives both HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine after a needlestick from a patient who is HBsAg positive, how long should one wait to check the employee's response to the vaccine? A: Anti-HBs testing for HCP who receive both hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine can be conducted as soon as 4 months after receipt of the HBIG. However, a new recommendation in the 2013 document is to test for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among certain HCP (those previously unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or revaccinated) with an exposure from an HBsAg-positive or unknown HBsAg-status patient at the time of the exposure and approximately 6 months after the exposure (that is, after the HBV incubation period). The CDC expert panel determined that it would be more efficient to do all the follow-up testing at one time, and recommended testing at 6 months after the exposure. Anti-HBs could be measured at a minimum of 4 months after the administration of HBIG, but testing for infection would then follow approximately 2 months later. Back to top Q: At our facility we do routine pre-employment anti-HBs testing regardless of whether the employee has documentation of a hepatitis B vaccination series and consider those who are anti-HBs positive to be immune. Is this the recommended strategy? A: No. HCP with written documentation of receipt of a properly spaced 3-dose series of hepatitis B vaccine AND a positive anti-HBs can be considered immune to HBV and require no further testing or vaccination. Testing unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated HCP (including those without written documentation of vaccination) is not necessary and is potentially misleading because anti-HBs of 10 mIU/mL or higher as a correlate of vaccine-induced protection has only been determined for persons who have completed a hepatitis B vaccination series. Persons who cannot provide written documentation of a complete hepatitis B vaccination series should complete the 3-dose series, then be tested for anti-HBs 1 to 2 months after the final dose. Back to top Q: Does CDC still recommend routine anti-HBs testing of HCP who are at risk for occupational blood or body fluid exposure following the hepatitis B vaccination series? A: Yes. This recommendation has not changed. Back to top Q: Is there now a recommendation for a routine booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine? A: No. HCP who have documentation of receiving a 3-dose series of hepatitis B vaccine and who tested positive for anti-HBs (defined as anti-HBs of 10 mIU/mL or higher) are considered to be immune to hepatitis B. Immunocompetent persons have long-term protection against HBV and do not need further testing or vaccine doses. Some immunodeficient persons (including those on hemodialysis) may need periodic booster doses of hepatitis B vaccine, as described in the 2006 adult hepatitis B vaccine ACIP recommendations (MMWR2006;55[RR-16]:26–9 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5516.pdf). These recommendations have not changed. Back to top Q: Does CDC now recommend restarting the hepatitis B vaccine series in the event the series is interrupted? A: No. This recommendation has not changed. The series should not be restarted. Simply continue from where you left off. Back to top How to submit a question to Ask the Experts IAC works with CDC to compile new Ask the Experts Q&As for our publications based on commonly asked questions. We also consider the need to provide information about new vaccines and recommendations. Most of the questions are thus a composite of several inquiries. You can email your question about vaccines or immunization to IAC at admin@immunize.org. As we receive hundreds of emails each month, we cannot promise that we will print your specific question in our Ask the Experts feature. However, you will get an answer. You can also email CDC's immunization experts directly at nipinfo@cdc.gov. There is no charge for this service. If you have a question about IAC materials or services, email admininfo@immunize.org. Please forward these Ask the Experts Q&As to your colleagues and ask them to subscribe to IAC Express. Back to top  |
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ISSN 2771-8085
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ISSN 2771-8085
Editorial Information
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Editor-in-ChiefKelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
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Managing EditorJohn D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
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Associate EditorSharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
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Writer/Publication CoordinatorTaryn Chapman, MS
Courtnay Londo, MA -
Style and Copy EditorMarian Deegan, JD
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Web Edition ManagersArkady Shakhnovich
Jermaine Royes -
Contributing WriterLaurel H. Wood, MPA
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Technical ReviewerKayla Ohlde