Ten-year antibody persistence induced by hepatitis A and B vaccine (Twinrix) in adults.

Author(s): Van Herck K, Leroux-Roels G, Van Damme P, Srinivasa K, Hoet B

Affiliation(s): Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, WHO Collaborating Centre for Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis, Unit of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp - Campus Drie Eiken, Wilrijk, Belgium. koen.vanherck@ua.ac.be

Publication date & source: 2007-05, Travel Med Infect Dis., 5(3):171-5. Epub 2006 Sep 20.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A and B infections are prevalent worldwide and cause significant morbidity and mortality. A combined vaccine providing dual protection against hepatitis A and B is available (Twinrix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals). METHOD: Two cohorts of adults aged 17-43 years were vaccinated with Twinrix according to a 0, 1, 6 months schedule and followed up for 10 years. RESULTS: One month after the primary vaccination course (Month 7), all subjects were seropositive for anti-HAV and all had anti-HBs> or = 10 mIU/ml. At month 120, 100% of subjects (N=34; N=29) in both cohorts were seropositive for anti-HAV; 94.1% and 86.2% of subjects had anti-HBs > or = 10 mIU/ml. The geometric mean concentrations (GMC; mIU/ml) were 373.9 and 674.6 in the two cohorts for anti-HAV, and 103.8 and 320.0, respectively, for anti-HBs. None of the serious adverse events reported throughout the follow-up period were considered by the investigator to be causally related to vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Combined hepatitis A and B vaccine, Twinrix, is safe, well-tolerated and has demonstrated a highly immunogenic profile. Persistence of anti-HAV and anti-HBs antibodies in adults remains high for at least 10 years after primary vaccination.