Recent advances with a virosomal hepatitis A vaccine.
BACKGROUND
Epaxal, a virosomal vaccine against hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, has been in use for nearly 15 years, especially among at-risk adults. Recent studies have shown that it is also a potent vaccine for children.


OBJECTIVE
To summarise recent advances of Epaxal Junior (0.25 ml, paediatric formulation).


METHODS
Published papers reporting results on the virosomal HAV vaccine were abstracted and reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
In a comparative randomised trial, the paediatric dose was found to be highly immunogenic and non-inferior to the standard dose with respect to seroprotection rates. The concomitant administration of virosomal HAV vaccine with routine childhood vaccines was investigated in another trial. The virosomal HAV vaccine did not interact with the antibody response of routine childhood vaccines which in turn did not reduce the antibody response to HAV. In countries that recommend immunisation against hepatitis A, this virosomal vaccine is an excellent candidate with few side effects at the site of injection.
Bovier
Patrick A
PA
Department of Community and Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland. patrick.bovier@post.harvard.edu
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000517:prevention & control*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D022701:Virosomes
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D022701:Virosomes; C530970:epaxal berna