Trade Names:Havrix- Injection 720 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) units (ELU) per 0.5 mL of viral antigen- Injection 1,440 ELU per mL of viral antigen
Trade Names:Vaqta- Injection 25 units hepatitis A virus protein per 0.5 mL- Injection 50 units hepatitis A virus protein per 1 mL
Avaxim (Canada)Avaxim-Pediatric (Canada)Provides active immunization against hepatitis A.
Active immunization of patients 12 mo of age and older against disease caused by hepatitis A virus.
Previous severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any hepatitis A–containing vaccine; hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine, including neomycin.
IM (in the deltoid region) Havrix 1,440 ELU (1 mL) followed by a booster dose of 1,440 ELU 6 to 12 mo later or Vaqta 50 units (1 mL) followed by a booster dose of 50 units 6 to 18 mo later.
Children (12 mo through 18 yr of age)IM Havrix 720 ELU (0.5 mL) followed by a booster dose of 720 ELU 6 to 12 mo later or Vaqta 25 units (0.5 mL) followed by a booster dose of 25 units (0.5 mL) 6 to 18 mo later.
Products are interchangeable for booster dose (ie, Vaqta can be used for booster dose following primary dose of Havrix ). Booster dose should be same strength as primary dose.
Store vials and syringes in refrigerator (36° to 46°F). Do not freeze. Discard if vaccine has been frozen because freezing destroys potency.
Because bleeding may occur following IM administration, use with caution.
Immune globulinCompared with giving hepatitis A vaccine alone, when coadministered with immune globulin, lower antibody titers may be obtained; however, hepatitis A vaccine and immune globulin may be given concurrently using different syringes and different injection sites.
ImmunosuppressantsMay result in inadequate response to immunization; therefore, additional administration of vaccine may be required.
Other vaccinesUse separate injection sites and syringes when injecting concomitant vaccines.
None well documented.
Syncope (postmarketing).
Fatigue, malaise (1% to 10%).
ChildrenIrritability (24% to 36%); drowsiness (29%); loss of appetite (26%); headache (less than 9%).
PostmarketingDizziness, encephalopathy, Guillian-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, myelitis, neuropathy, paresthesia, seizures, somnolence.
Vaqta AdultsHeadache (16%); asthenia/fatigue (4%).
Children (12 through 23 mo of age)Irritability (11%); crying (2%).
Children (2 through 18 yr of age)Headache (2%).
PostmarketingCerebellar ataxia; encephalitis; Guillian-Barré syndrome.
Angioedema, erythema multiforme, hyperhidrosis (postmarketing).
Vaqta Children (12 through 23 mo of age)Rash (5%); measles-like rash, varicella-like rash, viral erythema (1%).
Pharyngitis (3%); nasal congestion (1%).
Children (12 through 23 mo of age)Otitis media (8%); rhinorrhea (6%); otitis (2%); conjunctivitis, nasal congestion (1%).
Children (2 through 18 yr of age)Pharyngitis (2%).
Anorexia, nausea (1% to 10%)
Vaqta AdultsDiarrhea (3%); nausea (2%).
Children (12 through 23 mo of age)Diarrhea (6%); vomiting (4%); anorexia (1%).
Children (2 through 18 yr of age)Abdominal pain (2%); diarrhea, vomiting (1%).
Menstrual disorder (1%).
Thrombocytopenia (postmarketing).
Vaqta AdultsEcchymosis (2%).
Children (12 through 23 mo of age)Ecchymosis (1%).
PostmarketingThrombocytopenia.
Hepatitis, jaundice (postmarketing).
Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions (postmarketing).
Soreness (56%); tenderness (8%); induration, redness, swelling (1% to 10%).
ChildrenPain (28%); redness (22%); soreness (21%); swelling (8% to 10%); tenderness (8%).
Vaqta AdultsTenderness (53%); pain (51%); warmth (17%); swelling (14%); erythema (13%); ecchymosis (2%); pain/soreness (1%).
Children (12 through 23 mo of age)Pain/soreness/tenderness (4%); erythema, swelling (2%); ecchymosis, warmth (1%).
Children (2 through 18 yr of age)Pain (19%); tenderness (17%); warmth (9%); erythema (8%); swelling (7%); ecchymosis (1%).
Myalgia (2%); arm pain, back pain, stiffness (1%).
Dyspnea (postmarketing).
Vaqta AdultsUpper respiratory tract infection (3%).
Children (12 through 23 mo of age)Upper respiratory tract infection (10%); cough (5%); respiratory congestion (2%); laryngotracheobronchitis (1%).
Children (2 through 18 yr of age)Cough, upper respiratory infection (1%).
Fever (1% to 10%).
ChildrenFever (9%).
PostmarketingCongenital anomaly.
Vaqta AdultsFever (3%); abdominal pain (1%).
Children (12 through 23 mo of age)Fever (11%).
Children (2 through 18 yr of age)Fever (3%).
Category C .
Undetermined.
Safety and efficacy not established in children younger than 12 mo of age.
No differences in overall safety between subjects 65 yr of age and older compared with younger subjects have been identified.
Patients with liver disease had a lower antibody response than healthy subjects.
There have been rare reports of anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions.
Because bleeding may occur with IM injections, do not administer to individuals with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or thrombocytopenia, or patients on anticoagulant therapy.
May need to delay administration.
Hepatitis A vaccine will not prevent hepatitis caused by other agents, such as hepatitis B, C, or E virus or other pathogens that infect the liver.
The expected immune response may not be obtained in immunosuppressed patients.
Products may contain dry natural latex rubber.
Hepatitis A vaccine may not prevent hepatitis A infection in individuals who have an unrecognized hepatitis A infection at the time of vaccination; in addition, it may not prevent infection in individuals who do not achieve protective antibody titers.
Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health.