Insights into induction of the immune response by the hepatitis B vaccine

Figure 1 Recommended hepatitis B virus vaccination schemes. The hepatitis B immunization schedule is flexible, but minimal intervals and ages need to be observed. The recommended dose varies (5-40 μg of hepatitis B surface antigen protein/mL) depending on the individuals’ age and the vaccine brand. ^aMonovalent hepatitis B vaccine 0.5 mL must be used for the at birth immunization (HepB-BD). Immunocompromised adults or patients under dialysis require larger or additional doses of the hepatitis B vaccine; ^bCombined hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, adsorbed acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus vaccine. This vaccine cannot be administered at birth, before 6 postnatal weeks, or at age ≥ 7 years; ^cHeplisav-B is a vaccine recently approved for adults; it has a novel adjuvant and its recommended schedule is two doses 1 mo apart. HepB3: Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine; HepB-BD: Monovalent single dose of the hepatitis B virus vaccine; HBIG: Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin.