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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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My Spouse Has Hep B Core Antibody. I Had Taken Vaccination And Immunity Till 2002. Do I Need To Worry?

Hi I was vaccinated with the Hep B series in January, February, and June of 1991 while entering nursing school and got a booster in the summer of 1998. My spouse just learned after donating blood in May (has always been a blood donor) that he was positive for the Hep B core antibody. He had a recheck by his doctor and got the same result where his PCP told him he had an exposure but not the disease. Do I need to be worried? Do I need to get my titres rechecked (last time they were checked and I had immunity was 2002)? Do I need to get another booster?
Wed, 10 Jul 2013
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,

The vaccination schedule followed for hepatitis most commonly is dose 1,2,6 and booster after 5 years.
The first dose is taken as 1 dose, 2nd dose is taken after 1 month and 3rd dose after 6 months from the first dose.
The booster is taken at 5 years from the first dose.
If the booster is taken after a period of 5 years, it is ineffective in conferring protection.
You took a booster dose after a period of 7 years of 1st dose. I am afraid that this would have been ineffective.
You need to get the antibody titre against HBV.
If the titres are low, you will have to take the entire HBV vaccination all over again starting from dose 0.
Your spouse can also take up the HBV test.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal

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My Spouse Has Hep B Core Antibody. I Had Taken Vaccination And Immunity Till 2002. Do I Need To Worry?

Hello and welcome to HCM, The vaccination schedule followed for hepatitis most commonly is dose 1,2,6 and booster after 5 years. The first dose is taken as 1 dose, 2nd dose is taken after 1 month and 3rd dose after 6 months from the first dose. The booster is taken at 5 years from the first dose. If the booster is taken after a period of 5 years, it is ineffective in conferring protection. You took a booster dose after a period of 7 years of 1st dose. I am afraid that this would have been ineffective. You need to get the antibody titre against HBV. If the titres are low, you will have to take the entire HBV vaccination all over again starting from dose 0. Your spouse can also take up the HBV test. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal