A two dose combined hepatitis A and B vaccine in Chinese youngsters.

Author(s): Lee SD, Chan CY, Yu MI, Wang YJ, Chang FY, Lo KJ, Safary A

Affiliation(s): Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. sdlee@vghtpe.gov.tw

Publication date & source: 1999-09, J Med Virol., 59(1):1-4.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

This open, randomized study was conducted in healthy Chinese youngsters, aged between 10 and 19 years to compare the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of two vaccines: the combined vaccine against hepatitis A and B was administered in a two-dose schedule with the profile of the corresponding monovalent vaccines, while the concomitant vaccine was administered also on a two-dose schedule but simultaneously in opposite arms. All vaccinees had antibodies against hepatitis A (anti-HAV) after the 2-dose administration, whereas all but four in the first and two in the second group had protective titres against hepatitis B (anti-HBs). At month 7, the geometric mean titres for both antibodies were more than double for the group of subjects receiving the combined vaccine: 3,701 vs. 1,705 mIU/ml for the anti-HAV, and 1,524 vs. 720 mIU/ ml for the anti-HBs response. Injection site pain was the most commonly reported local symptom and headache was the most reported general symptom. It is concluded that this combined vaccine against hepatitis A and B, administered according to a two-dose schedule, is well-tolerated and highly immunogenic.