Hepatitis B: Postvaccination Test for Immunity
Topic Overview
A postvaccination test for immunity to the Reference hepatitis B Opens New Window virus (HBV) is recommended only if you:
- Have an Reference impaired immune system Opens New Window. This can be caused by many things, such as infection with Reference HIV Opens New Window or the use of medicines to prevent organ rejection.
- Are older than age 49.
- Received the hepatitis B vaccine in the buttock. (The vaccine is less effective when given in the buttock. It is more effective when given in the upper arm.)
- May come in contact with other people's blood or body fluids as part of your job.
- Are a sex partner of someone with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Infants born to mothers who are infected with HBV should be tested at 9 to 15 months of age.
With the exception of infants, a postvaccination test for immunity, when needed, should be done between 1 and 2 months after a person receives the last dose of vaccine.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference October 29, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Reference W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology |
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