Inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in childhood: implications for disease control.
The experience to date with the Merck inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in healthy children 2-16 years old is reviewed. Comparison of response to increasing doses indicates that an intramuscular dose of 25 units results in seroconversion of 99% of children by week 4 following a single dose. Antibody persistence rate is nearly 100% six months later, whether or not a second priming dose is given at week 8. This vaccine has proven highly immunogenic in children and has a favourable safety/tolerability profile. It should be useful for pre-exposure prophylaxis and control of hepatitis A, and should eventually replace immune globulin (Ig) for this indication.
Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA.
D
D
Nalin
L
L
Brown
B
B
Kuter
C
C
Patterson
B
B
McGuire
A
A
Werzberger
M
M
Santosham
S
S
Block
K
K
Reisinger
B
B
Watson
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000517:prevention & control*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D008297:Male; D012449:Safety; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines