Vaccination does not work – Non-Responder
Four to eight weeks after the last vaccination, the number of antibodies in the blood directed against hepatitis B is measured. This should be above 100 International Units per Liter (IU/L) to ensure vaccination protection. If the result is less than 10 IU/L, this is called a non-responder.The vaccination did not work because the immune system did not react and did not produce enough antibodies.
With such a result it should be checked whether a hepatitis B infection already exists. If this is not the case, up to three further vaccinations are carried out. After each of these vaccinations, the test for antibodies is repeated after four to eight weeks.
As soon as sufficient antibodies are present, vaccination is no longer necessary. If this is still not the case after the three additional vaccinations, no further action is taken. In case of infection with a hepatitis B virus, a passive vaccination can be carried out, in which the antibodies against the virus are injected directly.
What is Hbs?
Hbs stands for Hepatitis B Surface and describes a structure that is a component of the hepatitis virus. Structures that can be recognized by antibodies are called antigens. The HBs antigen is therefore a part of the hepatitis virus that can be recognized by the body’s own antibodies.
These mark the virus and initiate its destruction by the immune system. This mechanism is used in the vaccination. This is because only the HBs antigen, a small structure of the virus that cannot multiply, is vaccinated. The body then forms antibodies against the HBs antigen, which can also be used to fight future viruses.
