What is Hepatitis A vaccine?
Hepatitis A vaccine protects against Hepatitis A – a virus
that leads to jaundice and infection of the liver.
Which
Hepatitis –A vaccines are available?
5 vaccines are available. Biovac A (Internationally - Zhepu), Havrix,
Avaxim, Vaqta and Epaxal. Only the first 3 brands are available in India .
What
is the dose, mode and schedule of administration?
The dose and schedule differ with the 3 vaccines.
BIOVAC A is single dose to be administered subcutaneously in a child above 1 year of age.
Havrix for pediatric use - 2 doses of 720 EU at 1 year and 1 ½
years of age intramuscularly. Vaqta for pediatric use is given as 2 doses of 1 year and 1 ½
years of age intramuscularly.
What
are the side effects of hepatitis – A vaccine?
The side effects are very rare and mild. Local side effects seen
include redness, swelling in < 5% and pain at injection site
seen in <20% cases. Systemic side effects like mild fever, headache,
and malaise can be seen in 10 – 20% of cases.
What
are the contraindications?
Killed Hepatitis – A vaccine also contains aluminum hydroxide and
phenoxyethanol. Hence patients known to have hypersensitivity to
these agents should not be given the vaccine. It is also contraindicated
during pregnancy. The live vaccine does not contain aluminium hydroxide
Who
should be vaccinated?
At present it is recommended for the following high-risk group of
patients.
-
Though Hepatitis-A
is a self limiting disease, there is no
effective treatment. In addition there is occasional mortality due to fulminant hepatitis especially in adolescent and adults.Thus primary immunization may be recommended for pre-exposure prophylaxis in individuals who are at increased risk of the infection such as -
- Foreign
traveller : Those staying in low endemic areas for Hepatitis A do not develop natural
immunity till adulthood. Such persons are at risk of developing Hepatitis A when they visit an area with high endemicity. If such
a person is going to stay for <3 months, Hepatitis A immunoglobulin can
be enough to prevent hepatitis-A. If the stay is going to be prolonged
it is better to give the vaccine.
- Patients
with chronic liver disease who may be at increased risk of fulminant hepatitis A.
- During
epidemics: Whenever there is an outbreak of Hepatitis A in a community
- IV drug
abusers
- Those
who have occupation hazards like staff working in laboratories, food handlers, health personnel, zoo keepers, veterinarians, emergency relief workers and members of armed forces.
- Those who work in day-care centers or schools or
institutionalized children etc.
Children from a higher socio-economic group who may not have had natural infection may be given the Hepatitis A vaccine.
Can
hepatitis-A vaccine be given along with other vaccines?
Yes, hepatitis-A vaccine can be given along with any other vaccine
provided one uses separate syringes and separate sites for different
vaccines.
First created on 02-12-2003
Last updated on 01-03-2006
