Vaccination of newborns against hepatitis A in the presence of maternally derived antibodies.
Infection by hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a significant cause of childhood disease but effective vaccines are available. Naturally acquired anti-HAV antibodies ensure transfer of protective immunity which persists for up to 6 months in the newborn. Such maternal anti-HAV antibodies are able to inhibit the antibody responses in infants vaccinated with inactivated hepatitis A vaccines, although no clinically significant consequences of this are observed. By increasing the number of doses, for example by using a three dose primary vaccination schedule, and by increasing the amount of vaccinal antigen, this interfering effect may be partially overcome.
Vidor
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Sanofi Pasteur, Campus Mérieux, 1641 Avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France. emmanuel.vidor@sanofipasteur.com
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D030041:Hepatitis A virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired / Q000276:immunology*; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines