High hepatitis B vaccination coverage among a cohort of predominantly men who have sex with men in Germany

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023 Aug 1;19(2):2238576. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2238576.

Abstract

Incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has declined dramatically since the introduction of the HBV vaccine, but gaps remain in coverage. We characterized factors associated with vaccination among individuals with sexual risk of HBV infection. The BRAHMS observational cohort enrolled men and transgender women, without HIV, aged 18-55 years, with behavioral vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections at 10 German outpatient clinics. HBV surface antigen, surface antibody, and core antibody were assessed at screening for cohort eligibility to determine HBV vaccination status. Modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for factors potentially associated with prior HBV vaccination. A total of 1,042 participants were included in these cross-sectional analyses, with 831 participants (79.7%) immune to HBV due to vaccination. Knowledge around HBV vaccination recommendations (aPR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78-0.98). and age (aPR 40-49 vs 18-29 years: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.79-0.97) were significantly associated with a history of HBV vaccination in both the unadjusted and adjusted models. Education about the availability of vaccines and recommendations for vaccinations may improve coverage.

Keywords: BRAHMS observational cohort; Germany; Hepatitis B; cohort studies; vaccines.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Hepatitis B virus
  • Hepatitis B*
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccination Coverage
  • Viral Vaccines*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Viral Vaccines

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) under cooperative agreements between the U.S. Army and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine [W81XWH-11-2-0174; W81XWH-18-2-0040] with support from the US Army Medical Research and Development Command [W81XWH-18-C-0077], Pharmaceutical Systems PMO, HIV Vaccine Program, the Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (BMG), and the Division of AIDS (DAIDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH). The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be construed to represent the positions of the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense. The investigators have adhered to the policies for protection of human subjects as prescribed in AR 70–25.