[Active immunization against hepatitis A. Comparison of various immunization schedules].
Three different immunization schedules were compared in 144 young, healthy adults (81 men, 63 women; mean age 28.5 years). They were randomly assigned to one of three groups: group 1, immunization shots on day 0 and day 14 (n = 47), group 2, on day 0 and day 28 (n = 50), and group 3, on day 0, 14 and 28 (n = 47). All participants had a booster shot after one year. The seroconversion rate was 40-46% after first shot, 95-100% after the second one; all were anti-HAV positive after the booster injection. All subjects had specific antibodies in a mean concentration of > 400 IU/l two weeks after the second shot. In almost all subjects antibodies were demonstrable up to the 12th month after the first immunization (> 20 IU/l). Mean antibody concentration during the interval between the second and third immunization after basal immunization on day 0 and 14 or 0 and 28, respectively, was comparable. Three initial immunizations 14 days apart did not achieve much higher anti-HAV levels. The vaccine was equally well tolerated in all three groups. Thus basal immunization shortened to two injections two weeks apart presents a good alternative to the standard scheme of two injections four weeks apart. Three injections two weeks apart bring no demonstrable advantage.
Müller
R
R
Abteilung Gastroenterologie und Hepatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover.
Bock
H L
HL
Clemens
R
R
Jilg
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000517:prevention & control*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines