Age-Specific Anti-HBs Seropositivity Among Individuals Eligible for the Childhood Hepatitis B Vaccination Program: A Single-Center Study

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İLGAR T., Ozsahin A., Mahmutoglu-Colak S., YILDIZ İ. E., KOSTAKOĞLU U., YILDIZ Y., ...Daha Fazla

MEDITERRANEAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION MICROBES AND ANTIMICROBIALS, cilt.15, 2026 (ESCI, TRDizin)

Özet

Introduction: Hepatitis B (HB) vaccination is the most effective strategy for preventing HB virus infection. This study evaluated age-specific HB antibody responses among individuals eligible for the national childhood HB vaccination program to optimize vaccination follow-up policies. Materials and Methods: This single-center retrospective study included individuals aged 1-22 years who underwent HB serological testing between January 2022 and January 2023. Individuals with positive HBsAg results, missing data, or foreign nationality were excluded. Initial HB surface antibody (anti-HBs) results and age at the time of testing were analyzed. Participants were categorized into five age groups: 1-3, 4-6, 7-12, 13-18, and 19-22 years. Results: A total of 3,082 individuals were included [47% female; median age, 18 years (interquartile range, 10-20)1, of whom 1,766 (57.3%) tested positive for anti-HBs. Higher rates of antibody positivity were observed among children aged 1-3 years. The median age of anti-HBs-negative individuals was significantly higher than that of anti-HBs-positive individuals (p < 0.001). Females had a higher anti-HBs seropositivity rate than males (59.6% vs. 55.3%, p =0.016). In the multivariable analysis, older age groups had significantly lower odds of anti-HBs seropositivity than the 1-3year age group [odds ratio (OR) range =0.12-0.311, whereas female sex was independently associated with higher odds of seroprotection (OR =1.26). Conclusion: The rate of protective antibody detection decreased with age among individuals targeted by the national childhood HB vaccination program. Particularly in settings with intermediate or high HB endemicity, early identification of individuals without detectable antibodies may help optimize immunization monitoring strategies, prevent unnecessary revaccination, and improve resource allocation.