Long-term persistence of immunity after hepatitis B vaccination: A fact, not a fancy.

On the basis of an article previously published in the journal regarding immune persistence after hepatitis B vaccination in infancy, I discuss why this persistence is a fact and not a fancy. Immune memory after a primary vaccination series has been widely demonstrated by prompt response to booster doses and the proliferation of T cells secreting IFNγ. In a large cohort of medical students, 79% of subjects were positive for anti-HBs antibodies, and only 1.9% of the subjects had serological evidence of past hepatitis B infection. To prevent severe diseases, such as hepatitis B, it is very important that the majority of the population is vaccinated, especially those employed in health care, as vaccination is the most effective weapon to hepatitis B, which is still widespread worldwide.