Two year old hepatitis A vaccine is as good as new

• Published in: Vaccine 1996-10, Vol.14 (15), p.1439-1441
• Main Authors: Rajan, E., Al Bloushi, S., O'Farrell, B., Shattock, A., Courtney, M.G., Safary, A., Fielding, J.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2 year old hepatitis A vaccine; Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Double-Blind Method; Drug Stability; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hepatitis A Vaccines; Hepatovirus; Humans; immunogenicity; Male; Microbiology; Pain - etiology; seroconversion rate; Vaccines, antisera, therapeutical immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines - adverse effects; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines - immunology; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines - therapeutic use; Virology
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/S0264-410X(96)00084-9

This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind study assessing the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of newly produced vs 2 year old hepatitis A vaccine. Overall 215 non-immune volunteers, 18–39 years old were divided into four groups and administered vaccine at months 0, 1 and 6. Three groups each received a different vaccine lot which had been stored at 4°C for 2 years, and one group received recently produced vaccine as control. The mean local and general adverse reaction rates were 59.1% and 17.4%, respectively, and all vaccinees had seroconverted by month 2. There were no significant differences in geometric mean anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody titres between the four groups. In conclusion 2 year old HAV vaccine is safe and equally immunogenic as newly produced vaccine.