title: Field evaluation of a hepatitis A vaccine in a Norwegian contingent to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
abstract: The Norwegian population is basically seronegative regarding anti-hepatitis A antibodies. For this reason they are particularly vulnerable when exposed to hepatitis A virus when staying in highly endemic areas. Norwegian UN-personnel have so far been protected with serum immunoglobulins (Ig). Two studies are reported, one followed a vaccination schedule of 0, 1 and 2 months with a booster at month 12, while the other followed a schedule of day 0 and 14 with a booster at month 7. Both were field trials evaluating the new hepatitis A vaccine, from SmithKline Beecham Biological, in Norwegian UN soldiers serving in Lebanon. Both trials showed 100% seroconversion following the initial vaccination course, with low reactogenicity and no clinical or subclinical sign of hepatitis. The new vaccine has decisive advantages over immunoglobulins on medical, practical and economic grounds.
authors.affiliation: University of Oslo, School of Medicine, Norway.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aarhaug
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000517:prevention & control*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009664:Norway; D014480:United Nations; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines