Use of Dynavax Heplisav B in Healthcare Workers Previously Vaccinated With 3-dose Vaccine Who Failed to Demonstrate Seroprotection

Protection against Hepatitis B infection is a regulatory and safety cornerstone to infection prevention and control programs involving the healthcare workforce in the United States. Until 2018 when a new adjuvanted vaccine was released, immunization for this population has involved a three-dose series followed by an additional three-dose series for those demonstrating lack of seroprotection. If that lack continued following the second three-dose series, and verification of a negative Hepatitis B antigen status, that person has historically been deemed a non-responder to Hepatitis B vaccine and at potential risk for infection. This non-response status may be used to determine job responsibilities representing excessive risk for the healthcare worker resulting in potential career and practice limitations and decisions. With the release of the new adjuvanted vaccine, there is potential to determine the role that new vaccine may play in promoting an immune response among this non-responding subset of at-risk healthcare workers. The aims of this study include: 1) determining the effect of this adjuvanted vaccine in producing seropositivity in a population of healthcare personnel previously deemed as non-responders following administration of two rounds of the traditional 3-dose series of Hepatitis B vaccine and confirmation of negative Hepatitis B antigen; and 2) determining the personal and professional impact of the lack of immunity to Hepatitis B among healthcare personnel.