Rapid and sustained immune response against hepatitis A and B achieved with combined vaccine using an accelerated administration schedule.
BACKGROUND
Combined hepatitis A and B vaccine administered on an accelerated schedule provides a rapid immune response against both hepatitis A and B viruses, which might be especially relevant for individuals who need protection quickly.


METHODS
A prospective, open-label, randomized study to compare the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine Twinrix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium) (>or=720 EL.U/mL inactivated hepatitis A antigen and 20 microg/mL recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]) administered at 0, 7, 21 to 30 days, and 12 months compared with concurrent administration of Havrix [GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium (>or=1440 EL.U/mL inactivated hepatitis A antigen)] at 0 and 12 months, and Engerix-B [GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium (20 microg/mL recombinant HBsAg)] at 0, 1, 2, and 12 months in seronegative healthy adults.


RESULTS
At month 13, the anti-hepatitis B seroprotection rates (>10 mIU/mL) for the combined vaccine compared to the monovalent hepatitis B vaccine were 96.4% (95% CI: 92.7-98.5) and 93.4% (95% CI: 89.0-96.4), respectively. The anti-hepatitis A seroconversion rates were 100% in both groups (95% CI: 98.1-100). At day 37, the anti-hepatitis A seroconversion rates were similar in both groups (98.5% for combined vaccine, 98.6% for the monovalent vaccine group), but the combined vaccine resulted in a statistically significantly ( p < 0.001) better anti-hepatitis B seroprotection compared to monovalent hepatitis B vaccine, 63.2% versus 43.5%, respectively. The reactogenicity profile was similar in both study groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined hepatitis A and B vaccine administered on an accelerated schedule was at least as immunogenic and as well tolerated as the corresponding monovalent vaccines.
Connor
Bradley A
BA
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
Blatter
Mark M
MM
Beran
Jiri
J
Zou
Bin
B
Trofa
Andrew F
AF
D000328:Adult; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000517:prevention & control*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods; D017778:Vaccines, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D017778:Vaccines, Combined; C433226:twinrix