The criteria for meeting the healthcare professional hepatitis B immunisation obligation have recently been modified. It became apparent that the definition of a hepatitis B immunisation non-responder needed clarification, and that the possibility of using alternative schedules in this situation needed to be evaluated.
The French High Council of public health's (HCSP) notice and the supporting report aim to clarify the definition of non-response to hepatitis B immunisation, the persons concerned and the procedures to follow.
The HCSP has notably taken into account the biological and clinical efficacy of the hepatitis B vaccine, the vaccines available in France, their tolerance, the available vaccine plans, as well as the alternatives to vaccination.
The HCSP specifies the situations in which a post-vaccination anti-HB antibody count must be performed, and details the vaccination procedure in the event of a non-response to a correctly-performed standard schedule in immunocompetent persons. It recommends that in cases of immunodeficiency and in haemodialysed persons, specific vaccination schedules be favoured as primary vaccination, in accordance with the recommendations in the HCSP's report on the vaccination of immunodeficient patients.
The HCSP points out that, to the best of current knowledge, no alternative immunisation schedule can be offered in the event of a non-response to an intensive schedule.
Furthermore, the HCSP recommends that studies be conducted to offer alternative plans, and that a procedure is suggested on a case-by-case basis to non-responders by the occupational physician or specialist, together with a specific evaluation of the risk of exposure to the hepatitis B virus.
- Recommendation
- Europe
- France
- Hepatitis B
