Hepatitis B vaccination failed twice

[Paul_UK]

I had the Hepatitis B vaccination course (3 jabs, 1 month then 6 month gaps) about 20 years ago and the blood test a month later showed it had failed to work. I had the same course again earlier this year and again it has failed.

Having moved to a new area I will be registering with the local sexual health clinic in due course. Is it worth me getting yet another course or should I give up on it? Is there an alternative method (different time intervals, stronger dose, different product) that is likely to be more successful?

Obviously I will speak to them about this too but it would help to be more informed before seeing them.

Information online suggests that 10-15% of people fail to respond so I'm not alone. It also suggests that I may still have some immunity but that is vague, as are the options for us 10-15%.

Thanks!

[Ben]

They gave me a few choices for time frames, and I took the longest, which I think was one month, three months and then another three months. They did offer me a couple more compact time frames, as well. I don't remember what they were exactly.

I don't see any harm in getting it done again, or at least asking them about it. They were a bit funny about whether I'd have to pay or not for the boosters, though, and it would have been pretty expensive. But I got it free because I was high risk and under 19. I think you should give it another shot. : )

[Paul_UK]

There has been no question about paying at any of the NHS sexual health clinics I have used. Was it one of those or a GP that mentioned paying for boosters?

Here in Bournemouth there is an LGBT-specific sexual health (NHS) and counselling (charitable) centre called Over The Rainbow, which is preferable to the regular mixed ones IMO. I'm planning to go and speak with them soon.

[Ben]

I got my initial shot at an STD clinic and then my boosters at a GP, who suggested that I would have to pay for things. I got the clinic to write to the GP to confirm that I didn't have to pay. It was a bit of a hassle really.

That's probably a good idea, they should know the best course of action for you.

With the Hep B vaccine some people just don't respond no matter how many times it's given.

[KaraBulut]

There is a population of people don't titer positive for antiHBs which indicates an immune response to the injections. There's not clear data on whether they would have immunity when exposed to HBV in vivo.

The immunity afforded by HBV immunization is believed to last for about 25 years. Antibody titers for surface antigen (which is what is in the shots) decreases with time, so you are a candidate for reimmunization.

In the US we don't do boosters but I believe NHS will boost after 5 years. You can talk to them about a booster and retesting.

[Just Adam]

Hi Paul been a long time. Sorry the jabs are being a pain.

Had mine done last year. Luckily it went fine.

I say try again, it's worth it to keep trying in the hopes it will work just to give some piece of mind