Postvaccination test for immunity to the hepatitis B virus

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Postvaccination test for immunity to the hepatitis B virus

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A postvaccination test for immunity to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is recommended only if you:

Have an impaired immune system. This can be caused by many conditions, such as infection with HIV 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 should be done between 1 and 2 months after a person receives the last dose of vaccine.

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Author	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology
Last Updated	October 15, 2007

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Last updated:	October 15, 2007
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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