How long do different types of vaccinations last? From smallpox to viral hepatitis
Vaccination is one of the most effective tools for preventing infectious diseases. However, in order to answer the question of how long the human body retains protection after individual vaccinations, we need to focus on several factors. The answer depends on the type of pathogen, the vaccine used, and the individual immune response of the vaccinated person.
Some vaccines provide lifelong immunity, while others require revaccination after a certain period of time. We have prepared an overview article for you, in which we focus on both the general principles of the duration of immunity after vaccination and specific examples of vaccinations against smallpox, meningococcus, pneumococcus, and viral hepatitis.
Factors affecting the duration of immunity after vaccination
The duration of immunity after vaccination is determined by a combination of several factors. The result gives us an approximate expected period during which an individual is able to produce antibodies against a specific disease.
Type of vaccine
The vaccine itself signals the body to recognize the pathogen and produce the correct antibodies for a certain period of time.
Live attenuated vaccines (e.g., against measles or chickenpox) usually elicit a stronger and longer-lasting immune response.
Inactivated or subunit vaccines (e.g., against influenza or hepatitis A/B) provide shorter protection, so revaccination is often necessary.
Nature of the infection
Some viruses naturally induce long-lasting immunity (e.g., the measles virus), while others are more easily evaded by the immune system or mutate rapidly (e.g., the influenza virus). The influenza virus evolves so rapidly that it is necessary to monitor the situation in the population every year and prepare a vaccine designed to combat the predominant mutations in a given season.
Individual immune response
Age, genetic factors, the presence of chronic diseases, or weakened immunity can affect the duration of protection. Your general practitioner should monitor these individual characteristics.
Smallpox vaccination
Smallpox (variola)
Thanks to the WHO's global eradication campaign in 1980, vaccination against smallpox is no longer necessary in the general population. However, studies have shown that immunity persists for decades after vaccination. Even 30 to 50 years after vaccination, memory T-lymphocytes and antibodies can be detected in the blood. It is therefore assumed that smallpox has been eradicated and further vaccination is no longer necessary.
Chickenpox (varicella)
The chickenpox vaccine provides long-term but not lifelong protection. Protection usually lasts 10 to 20 years, with the immune response gradually declining in part of the population. In some countries, a booster dose is therefore recommended.
In adulthood, many people consider vaccination against shingles (herpes zoster), which is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus.
Meningococcal vaccination
There are several vaccines available because meningococcus has multiple serogroups (A, B, C, W, Y). Unfortunately, protection is not lifelong; it tends to be shorter in children and can range from 5 to 10 years in adolescents and adults, depending on the specific vaccine.
Meningococcus B
This vaccine is mainly given to young children. Protection lasts for several years but decreases over time, so revaccination is recommended in adolescence, especially if the risk of infection is high.
Meningococcus ACWY
The vaccine provides protection for approximately 5–10 years, so revaccination is recommended for young people (especially before entering boarding schools, dormitories, exchange programs, etc.).
Pneumococcal vaccination
Children are mainly vaccinated with a conjugate vaccine (PCV10 or PCV13). This induces long-term immunity that can last for many years, often until adulthood.
For seniors and at-risk groups, either a conjugate (PCV13/15/20) or polysaccharide (PPSV23) vaccine is used. It usually protects for 5–10 years, after which revaccination is recommended.
In the Czech Republic, pneumococcal vaccination is covered for children (if administered in infancy) and seniors over 65 years of age.
Vaccination against viral hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Vaccination (two doses) provides very long-lasting immunity. Studies show that protection lasts for at least 20 years, but probably for life. Revaccination is not routinely recommended if a complete vaccination series has been administered.
Hepatitis B
Vaccination (usually three doses) induces strong antibody production (anti-HBs). In healthy individuals, protection lasts for at least 20 to 30 years, and in some cases for life. Even after antibody levels decline, active cellular immunity (memory B and T cells) remains, which is capable of providing a rapid response upon exposure to the virus.
Revaccination is therefore recommended only for high-risk groups (e.g., healthcare workers, dialysis patients), especially if their antibody levels fall below the protective threshold.
Hepatitis C
There is still no vaccine against this variant. The only way to protect yourself is to avoid exposure to the virus.
Overview of the expected duration of protection for selected vaccines
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Smallpox: decades, but vaccination is no longer performed
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Chickenpox (varicella): approx. 10 to 20 years, booster sometimes necessary.
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Hepatitis A: at least 20 years, probably lifelong immunity.
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Hepatitis B: 20 to 30 years or more, revaccination necessary only for selected groups.
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Influenza (inactivated vaccine): 6 to 12 months, annual vaccination necessary.
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Tetanus: revaccination every 10 to 15 years, sometimes recommended after an injury with a risk of infection.
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Diphtheria and whooping cough: revaccination at least once in adulthood, usually in the form of a combined vaccine against tetanus.
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Tick-borne encephalitis: the basic schedule (3 doses) provides protection for about 3 years, then revaccination every 5 years, every 3 years for people over 50.
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HPV (human papillomavirus): after the basic schedule, protection is long-term (at least 10 to 15 years), revaccination is not routinely recommended.
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Meningococcus: protection against serogroup B decreases over time, but revaccination is only necessary in certain cases. Protection against serogroups ACWY lasts for 5-10 years.
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Pneumococcal infections: protection lasts for several years after vaccination of adults (e.g., seniors). Revaccination depends on the type of vaccine; sometimes a booster dose is recommended after 5 to 10 years.
The duration of protection after vaccination varies considerably depending on the type of vaccine and the individual response of the body. While some vaccines provide lifelong immunity (hepatitis A, often hepatitis B), others require regular revaccination (tetanus, influenza, COVID-19). In the case of smallpox, it remains an interesting fact that protection lasts for several decades, reflecting the power of live vaccines and the natural long-term memory of the immune system.
It is therefore important to follow the recommended vaccination schedules and take into account individual health status, age, and risk factors. For more information on vaccination options, consult your general practicioner.
Sources:
https://szpcr.cz/povinne-ockovani/
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-best-practices/contraindications-precautions.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/basics/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/basics/explaining-how-vaccines-work.html
https://www.ftn.cz/zloutenka-817/
https://www.vzp.cz/o-nas/tiskove-centrum/otazky-tydne/ockovani-proti-zloutence
https://euc.cz/clanky-a-novinky/clanky/cerny-kasel-cili-pertuse-priznaky-a-lecba/