Hep B None Responder

[amye86]

Hi
Just wanting a bit of information off anyone that can help. I've been working in a hospital since 2006 and had the hepatitis b injections as require but didn't respond to them so I had to have a second course....still didn't respond to the vaccination. So now im classed as a none responder. But now the occupational health department have decided to investigate why I haven't responded. Can any one give me any information on why I maybe haven't responded to them as im quite worried now....thanks

[treetops68]

Could just be something as simple as a natural imunity (as with a few people and HIV.)

[LazyGun]

Not all vaccinations will induce a 100% response. I think the non-responder rate for Hepatitis B is somewhere between 5-15%. Usually, the procedure is to offer a second, full schedule - maybe increase it to 3 injections, if memory serves.

As to why you might be a non-responder - hypothetically speaking, one of the reasons why you might be a non-responder is because you are Hep B positive, so they should test for that to rule it out, and to offer counsel relevant to your life and your job if that is found to be the case. Otherwise, you might just not be responsive, and so will be counselled about the safety measures you need to be aware of since you will not have the same level of protection against HepB as others would.

I should not be too worried, amye. See what Occ. Health have to say first, and what the blood analysis shows.

[LazyGun]

@Amye. Meant to add this link, but forgot. You might find it interesting.

Should a second course fail, there are other options open too for HBV negative non-responders, including the use of a "higher dose" vaccine programme.

http://wp.hepb.org/2011/09/29/hbv-vaccine-non-responder-alternatives/