Booster immunization is the following vaccination after a period of vaccine primary immunization schedule in order to maintain immunity against a certain pathogen. In this article, the immunological mechanism of booster immunization is elaborated, and the effectiveness and public health value of booster immunization for common vaccines is discussed. Subsequently, three hot issues of general concern in booster immunization are addressed, and the public health viewpoint that "Primary immunization of vaccines is fundamental, and booster immunization is the guarantee" is emphasized, so as to raise awareness of the importance and necessity of booster immunization as well as to provide scientific evidences for vaccine immunization practice.
Humans ; Immunization, Secondary ; Public Health ; Immunization Schedule ; Vaccination ; Viral Vaccines

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity of the booster immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Korean children. METHODS: Thirty-nine children aged 12-23 months who visited Kangnam CHA Hospital between September 2006 and December 2006 were enrolled. The children were divided into primary and booster groups depending on their vaccination status for the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The anti-pneumococcal antibody levels of each serotype included in the vaccine (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F) were determined by third-generation ELISA. RESULTS: The geometric mean titer (GMT) of antibodies to each pneumococcal serotype in the booster group was higher than in the primary group (P<.05). The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies > or =0.35 microgram/mL was 90.5-100% for all serotypes in both the primary and booster groups. The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies > or =1.0 g/mL in the booster group was 94.4-100%, which was higher than the primary group except for serotypes 6B and 14 (P<.05). The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies > or =5.0 microgram/mL in the booster group was 50.0-94.4% which was higher than the primary group for all serotypes (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The immunogenicity of a booster dose of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Korean children was high and the immunogenicity of a primary series was also relatively high. To determine the feasibility of the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the appropriate schedule for Korean children, further prospective investigation of the immunogenicity of the booster immunization is needed.
Aged ; Antibodies ; Appointments and Schedules ; Child ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunization, Secondary ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND: Korea is, known to be an endemic area of viral hepatitis B, and 5-6% of population are carriers. Immunization can reduce the spread of hepatitis B infection. Hower, not all people respond to hepatitis B immunsation. 5-15% of primary vaccinees fail to be immunized. After revaccination, only 37.5 44% of the primary failures elicit antibody response. Recent studies have reported that it is effective to inject a double dose vaccination in immunocompromsed patients. In some country, they recommend that neonate whode mother is HBV carrier shoud receive double dose vaccination. This study documented the results of double dose vaccintion only once to nonrsponders toward the HBV immunzation. METHODS: Healthy nonresponders to Hepatitis B immunization were recuited from Sep. 1995 to Aug. 1996. Subjects with their AST/ALT level over 40, or over 65 years old were excluded. They were received 2ml of plasma-derived vaccine(Hepavax-B) intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle. Anti-HBs antibody testing were performed at 1 to 3 months after vaccintion. RESULTS: 17 healthy nanreponders to Hepatitis B immunization(male 10, female 7) were included. Their mean ages were 47(32 to64), AST/ALT level 20/19(16 to 28/11 to 35), smoking 4.3pys(1 to 7). Seroconversion occured in 13 of them(76.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Nonresponders to Hepatitis B vaccintion respond well to double dose vaccination once.
Aged ; Antibody Formation ; Deltoid Muscle ; Female ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunization, Secondary ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Mothers ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vaccination*

PURPOSE: Hepatitis B virus infection is prevalent in Korea. Active immunization of Hepatitis B has been proceeded extensively for the last decade. This study was performed to estimate the negative rate of anti-HBs after immunization and to evaluate the effect of revaccination among Korean children between 1995 and 1997, as well as to determine a proper revaccination schedule. METHODS: Anti-HBs was measured with enzyme immunoassay. Hepatitis B revaccination was performed on nonresponders, those who were previously vaccinated and whose anti-HBs titers were under 10mIU/mL. Group A was revaccinated one dose of the same amount of the previous vaccine. Group B was given three doses of the same amount of the vaccine. Group C was given one double dose of the vaccine. The seroconversion rate and geometrical mean titer were measured one month later. RESULTS: Negative anti-HBs rate was 14.5% in children who had been vaccinated. The seroconversion rate was high in all revaccination groups(86.7-94.7%). Three doses of revaccination had no significant difference from one dose of revaccination. There was no positive effect of double dose of revaccination in comparison with the usual dose. CONCLUSION: In our study, one dose of hepatitis B vaccine is as effective as three doses or double dose of hepatitis B vaccine for the nonresponsive children. We recommend administering one dose of hepatitis B vaccine to those children whose three anti-HBs titer is under 10mIU/mL and examining of the anti-HBs titer one month later after revaccination.
Appointments and Schedules ; Child* ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunization, Secondary* ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Korea ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: To investigate the therapeutic potential of anti-CD4 antibody as an anti-inflammatory agent for the experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis. METHODS: Lewis rats were immunized with melanin-associated antigen and treated with anti-CD4 antibody for a week and then received secondary immunization with the same antigen at 8 weeks after primary immunization. The clinical grading of the uveitis and the effect of anti-CD4 on cell death and cytokine (IFN-gamma, IL-10) expression were followed. RESULTS: The cell death of CD4+ T cells was dependent on the dose of the antibody. The prevention of the primary uveitis paralleled the deletion of CD4+ T cells. The secondary uveitis was suppressed in the eyes treated early with lower doses (0.1, 1 mg/kg) of the antibody, even though mild degree of intraocular inflammation appeared in the primary uveitis in these groups. In the eyes treated with higher doses (10, 20 mg/kg), the severity of secondary uveitis was slightly reduced despite complete suppression of primary uveitis. IFN-gamma producing CD4+ T cells decreased and IL-10 producing CD4+ T cells increased after early anti-CD4 mAb treatment with a lower dose (1.0 mg/kg). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that anti-CD4 antibody treatment could be used in the future for the treatment of endogenous uveitis.
Animals ; Cell Death ; Immune Tolerance* ; Immunization ; Immunization, Secondary ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; Rats ; T-Lymphocytes ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Anterior*

Some countries with high coverage of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis combined vaccines have experienced pertussis epidemics and/or local outbreaks since 1980s. This phenomenon is called "pertussis resurgence". In recent years, pertussis epidemics in several provinces of China have resurged dramatically, arousing great concern from all parties. By referring the working model of the Global Pertussis Initiative, the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association has organized and launched the China Pertussis Initiative. A group of experts in this field has analyzed data of current pertussis in China and identified problems posed by the disease. This expert consensus was completed based on the discussions of the latest national and international research progeress, epidemiological trends and immunization strategies of pertussis, with special aims to provide guidance for the surveillance, prevention and control of pertussis in China.
China/epidemiology* ; Consensus ; Humans ; Immunization, Secondary ; Tetanus ; Vaccination ; Whooping Cough/prevention & control*

immunization for HBsAb negative HIV patients are required and efforts should be made to increase HBsAb positive rates among HIV patients to prevent horizontal transmission.]]>
Cohort Studies ; Coinfection ; Hepatitis B virus ; HIV Infections ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunization, Secondary ; Korea ; Parturition ; Prevalence ; Vaccination

The Delta variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a new global wave of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines currently available in China show high effectiveness against severe illness and death. However, transmission of the virus is not fully stopped by vaccination alone, therefore, integrated vaccination and non-pharmacological interventions is necessary to prevent and control the epidemic in the near future. Further expanded vaccine coverage of primary doses as well as booster shots in China's domestic population are needed to reduce severe illness and death. In order to provide evidence necessary for adjusting and optimizing immunization strategies and pandemic control measures, it is essential to conduct research on vaccine effectiveness against emerging variants, persistence of vaccine-induced protection, surveillance of adverse event following immunization with large-scale vaccine use, and modelling studies on strategic combinations of vaccination and non-pharmacological interventions.
COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; China ; Humans ; Immunization, Secondary ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Vaccination ; Vaccine Efficacy

PURPOSE: The cross-protection of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) against vaccine-related serotypes has been controversial. We investigated the serological properties of cross-protective antibodies against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A induced in young children aged 12-23 months after booster immunization of PCV7. METHODS: IgG and IgM antibody concentrations and opsonic index (OI) against vaccine serotypes 6B and 19F and vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A were measured by ELISA and opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPA) in 4 selected immunesera. The serological properties and antigenic specificity of protective antibodies were determined by IgM depletion of immunesera, OPA, and competitive OPA against serogroup 6 and 19 pneumococci. RESULTS: Compared to pre-IgM depleted immunesera, OI of IgM-depleted immunesera against 6B and 19F decreased and OI against 6A, 6C, and 19A decreased, too. In competition OPA, free 6B and 19F polysaccharide completely inhibited the immune protection against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A as well as vaccine types 6B and 19F. CONCLUSIONS: The booster immunization of PCV7 certainly induced cross-protective antibodies against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A with both IgG and IgM isotypes. Furthermore, IgM antibodies are more highly contributed to opsonophagocytic activity against vaccine-related serotypes as well as most of vaccine types than do IgG antibodies. Further studies are needed for the more immunized sera in the children as well as adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies ; Child ; Cross Protection ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitopes ; Homicide ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunization, Secondary ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Pneumococcal Vaccines ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

BACKGROUND: Korea is one of the endemic areas of viral hepatitis B, and 6-8% of general population are hepatitis B virus carriers. Although there have been little reduction in morbidity and infectivity of viral hepatitis B owlng to newer vaccines and the effects of immunizations, there are some differences among physicians in managing hepatitis B virus infection, and guidelines have not been established. Therefore in this study, we investigated general practitioners' concept and the practical management of viral hepatitis B in comparison with the hepatologists'. METHODS: Information was obtained through questionnaires sent to 67 hepatologists and 400 general practitioners(general internists, general surgeons, family physicians, general physicians, and public health center managers) in Pusan during the 5 months from April to August, 1997. Overall respondents were 142(116 General practitioners, 26 Hepatologists), and the response rate was 32.9%. RESULTS: In general practitioners, the most commonly used serologic test for viral hepatitis was HBsAg/MBsAb(71.0%). 51.9% of subjects underwent anti-HBs test 3-5 months later after vaccination. The most common revaccination method for healthy non-responders of initial vaccination was 3 series of immunizations with the same vaccine of equal dosage (36.9% ). 65.7% of subjects were tested for LFT every 6 months for chronic carriers, and 41.5% of them were advised - interferon treatment for chronic active hepatitis patients only if the patients requested it. In comparison with general practitioners, hepatologists had a tendency to add anti-HCV test for the serologic evaluation of hepatitis(56.6% vs 26.2%), to limit age for vaccination(82.6% vs 54.1% ), and to delay prescribing hepatotonics until the AST and ALT levels increased up to 2 folds normal(53.8% vs 39.1%). 38.5% of hepatologists did not recommend giving booster injection of hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Practioal guidelines is necessary to manage viral hepatitis B patients.
Busan ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; General Practitioners* ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunization, Secondary ; Interferons ; Korea ; Physicians, Family ; Public Health ; Serologic Tests ; Vaccination ; Vaccines