Hepatitis A and B vaccines usually don’t require boosters

I have some questions about hepatitis vaccines. I have read recently about an outbreak of hepatitis A in my area.

I went to my hospital and requested the hepatitis A vaccine. I was given the first of a two-shot vaccine, and was told to come back in six months for the second shot. I asked the nurse how long the vaccine would protect me after I took the second shot, and she didn’t know the answer.

My next question involves the hepatitis B vaccine. In 1991, I took the three-shot series of the hepatitis B vaccine. When getting my hepatitis A shot, I asked if my hepatitis B vaccine was still good after 25 years. They drew blood to check titers. A week later, the hospital emailed me and said my titers were low and to come in for a booster shot, which I got.

How come they didn’t just give me the threeshot series again instead of a booster shot? How many years will this hepatitis B booster shot protect me?

Are they working on a vaccine for hepatitis C? A vaccine seems like a good precaution. What do you think?

Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for travelers to areas with high rates of hepatitis A. Two doses are administered, with the second dose given between six and 12 months after the first.

Although we used to tell people that they needed a booster shot 10 years after the completed series, it appears that the protection from the vaccine is longlasting, and a booster is not recommended.

In an area where there is an outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination for homeless individuals; staff and public workers who have close contact with homeless or illicit drug users; and food handlers for adult populations.

The rate of hepatitis A in the U.S. and Canada is small enough that I think it is not necessary for people with no particular risk factors to get it.

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all adults. Ninety-five percent of people will have a good response, as measured by antibody levels in the blood (“titers”). Those with low titers are recommended to have a booster. This may relate to people with immune system disease, people with certain DNA factors, people with celiac disease, and if the first vaccine was technically compromised.

Fifteen to 25 percent of people who lack adequate titers will get them after one booster dose; 50 percent will after three doses. People who still don’t respond should be tested for having hepatitis B disease. Most people are thought to have lifetime immunity after the vaccine: People with HIV infection and those on dialysis are exceptions.

I have read about progress on a hepatitis C vaccine, which would be a major advance and much more cost-effective than the current treatment, which cures almost all who have hepatitis C but is very expensive.

— D.A.S.