Evaluation of The Immune Response To Hepatitis Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers At The University Hospital Center Oof Constantine

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major occupational hazard for healthcare workers because of their frequent exposure to blood and body fluids. This prospective study evaluated the post-vaccination immune response to HBV vaccination and identified factors associated with vaccine non-response among medical and paramedical staff at the University Hospital Center of Constantine between January 2010 and  December 2025.

A total of 746 healthcare workers were enrolled. Serological testing included hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc), and quantitative measurement of hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs). Protective immunity (anti-HBs ≥10 IU/L) was observed in 95.58% of participants, whereas 4.42% were classified as vaccine non-responders. A strong immune response (anti-HBs >100 IU/L) was achieved in 66.6% of participants. Vaccine non-response was significantly associated with older age (≥50 years; p = 0.002), obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²; p = 0.001), smoking (p = 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.001), and autoimmune diseases (p = 0.004). The immune response declined with increasing time since vaccination, particularly beyond 13 years. In contrast, sex and occupational blood exposure were not significantly associated with vaccine non-response. These findings highlight the high effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers and support post-vaccination serological monitoring and targeted booster vaccination strategies for individuals at increased risk of vaccine non-response.