Get a hepatitis B blood panel and, if you lack antibodies, discuss vaccination
The blood test is inexpensive. In a Qidong trial followed for 30 years, people vaccinated at birth had 84% less primary liver cancer and 72% less hepatitis B carriage. Adults without antibodies can complete three catch-up doses over six months for roughly one or two hundred renminbi.
What it takes
Testing costs a few dozen renminbi in China. Three adult vaccine doses cost RMB 100–300 in total and are completed within six months.
What you may gain
The Qidong study randomized groups rather than individuals and followed them for 30 years. Neonatal hepatitis B vaccination reduced primary liver cancer by 84% (95% CI 23%–97%) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity by 72% (95% CI 68%–75%). HBsAg positivity indicates the proportion carrying the virus. Between 1992 and 2014, HBsAg prevalence in China fell 52% across all ages and 97% among children under 5.
Context & considerations
The source addresses adults born before 1992 who were never vaccinated or whose antibodies have disappeared. The 84% cancer reduction came from vaccination at birth. In the same trial, adolescent catch-up vaccination was only 21% effective against viral carriage. Adult vaccination mainly prevents new infection; do not apply the 84% figure directly. Vaccination does not treat an existing infection, which requires regular liver-clinic follow-up. A positive HBsAg result indicates existing infection.
Research & references
Qu C et al. (2014). Efficacy of neonatal HBV vaccination on liver cancer and other liver diseases over 30-year follow-up of the Qidong hepatitis B intervention study. PLoS Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001774 ; Cui F et al. (2017). Prevention of Chronic Hepatitis B after 3 Decades of Escalating Vaccination Policy, China. Emerging Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2305.161477