The Immunogenicity of a Single Dose of Hepatitis A Virus Vaccines (Havrix? and Epaxal?) in Korean Young Adults

Purpose

Assessing the immunogenicity of a single dose of hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccines is important because some people receive only a single dose. However, previous studies have shown variable results and have not examined the effects of demographic characteristics other than gender. This study was performed to examine the immunogenicity of a single dose of HAV vaccine according to the vaccine type and demographic characteristics in young adults.

Materials and Methods

Seronegative medical school students were randomly allocated to receive either Havrix or Epaxal.

Results

After approximately 11 months, the seroconversion rate in 451 participants was 80.7%. In men, the Havrix group showed a significantly higher seroconversion rate (81.9%) than the Epaxal group (69.2%), whereas both vaccine groups showed similarly high immunogenicity in women (Havrix: 90.1%, Epaxal: 92.9%; P for interaction=0.062). According to the results of a multivariate analysis, Epaxal showed significantly lower immunogenicity than Havrix only in men. Age, obesity, drinking, smoking, and follow-up time did not significantly affect seroconversion in either gender.

Conclusion

The seroconversion rate of single-dose HAV vaccines was low in men, particularly in those who received Epaxal. Our results suggest that gender effects should be considered when comparing the immunogenicity of different HAV vaccines.     

Determinants of Hepatitis A Vaccine Immunity in a Cohort of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Children Living in Switzerland

Vaccination in HIV-infected children is often less effective than in healthy children. The goal of this study was to assess vaccine responses to hepatitis A virus (HAV) in HIV-infected children. Children of the Swiss Mother and Child HIV Cohort Study (MoCHiV) were enrolled prospectively. Recommendations for initial, catch-up, and additional HAV immunizations were based upon baseline antibody concentrations and vaccine history. HAV IgG was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a protective cutoff value defined as ≥10 mIU/ml. Eighty-seven patients were included (median age, 11 years; range, 3.4 to 21.2 years). Forty-two patients were seropositive (48.3%) for HAV. Among 45 (51.7%) seronegative patients, 36 had not received any HAV vaccine dose and were considered naïve. Vaccine responses were assessed after the first dose in 29/35 naïve patients and after the second dose in 33/39 children (25 initially naïve patients, 4 seronegative patients, and 4 seropositive patients that had already received 1 dose of vaccine). Seroconversion was 86% after 1 dose and 97% after 2 doses, with a geometric mean concentration of 962 mIU/ml after the second dose. A baseline CD4⁺ T cell count below 750 cells/μl significantly reduced the post-2nd-dose response (P = 0.005). Despite a high rate of seroconversion, patients with CD4⁺ T cell counts of <750/μl had lower anti-HAV antibody concentrations. This may translate into a shorter protection time. Hence, monitoring humoral immunity may be necessary to provide supplementary doses as needed.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年的免疫学效果

目的 观察接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗8年抗体持久性,并与1针法进行了比较.方法 对农村1～7岁HAV易感儿童110人,接种1剂甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗作为B组,选其中一个自然村的42名易感儿童作为A组,按0、2、6个月程序接种3剂疫苗,分别于免疫后1、2、6 7 8、12、24、36和96个月采集血清标本,检测抗-HAV总抗体.结果 B组接种甲肝减毒活疫苗后2～3个月,抗-HAV阳转率和几何平均浓度(GMC)达到高峰,分别为92.2%和126.2 mIU/ml,然后开始随时间下降.与之相比,按照0、2、6个月程序免疫的A组,抗体阳转率在第二针后即达100%,第三针后GMC达高峰,为2739 mIU/ml,A组的近期免疫效果甚至优于灭活疫苗;36～96个月B组的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为75%～71%和80～89 mIU/ml;与之相比,A组36～96个月的抗-HAV阳转率和GMC分别为100%和918.2～480.6 mIU/ml,显著高于B组.结论 接种3剂甲肝减毒活疫苗近期、远期免疫效果均高于一针法,三针法加强免疫取得了良好的免疫学效果,抗体持久性和预防效果有待于进一步观察.     

Antibody persistence and immune memory in adults, 15 years after a three-dose schedule of a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine

A combined hepatitis A and B vaccine is available since 1996. Two separate open‐label primary studies evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of this hepatitis A and B vaccine (720 EI.U of HAV and 20 µg of HBsAg) in 306 healthy subjects aged 17–43 years who received three doses of the vaccine following a 0, 1, and 6 months schedule. These subjects were followed up annually for the next 15 years to evaluate long‐term persistence of anti‐HAV and anti‐HBs antibodies. The subjects whose antibody concentrations fell below the cut‐offs between Year 11 and Year 15 (anti‐HAV: <15 mIU/ml; anti‐HBs: <10 mIU/ml) were offered an additional dose of the appropriate monovalent hepatitis A and/or B vaccine. In subjects who received the additional vaccine dose, a blood sample was collected 1 month after vaccination. At the Year 15 time point, all subjects in Study A and Study B were seropositive for anti‐HAV antibodies and 89.3% and 92.9% of subjects in the respective studies had anti‐HBs antibody concentrations ≥10 mIU/ml. Four subjects (two in each study) received an additional dose of monovalent hepatitis B vaccine and mounted anamnestic responses to vaccination. No vaccine‐related serious adverse events were reported. This study confirms the long‐term immunogenicity of the three‐dose regimen of the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine, as eliciting long‐term persistence of antibodies and immune memory against hepatitis A and B for up to at least 15 years after a primary vaccination. J. Med. Virol. 84:11–17, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

国产甲型肝炎灭活疫苗的安全性和免疫原性研究

目的 评价一种国产甲型肝炎（甲肝）灭活疫苗对人体的安全性和免疫原性。方法 为Ⅰ期临床试验。31名对甲肝易感的成年人被随机分为两组，实验组16个，接种国产甲肝灭活疫苗，对照组15人，接种史克必成公司生产的甲肝灭活疫苗。按0、3程序进行接种。国产疫苗剂量为每针1000U／0．5ml，史克疫苗剂量为每针720ELISAU／1ml。观察并比较两种接种后的局部和全身反应以及接种后1、3、4个月血清抗体阳转率和滴率。结果 两组初免和加强接种后个别接种对象表现轻微局部或全身反应，未发现肝功能损害。初次免疫后1个月、3个月和加强后1个月，国产疫苗的抗体阳转率分别为94％，100％和100％；史克疫苗为73％，80％和100％。国产疫苗抗体几何平均滴度分别为139．2mIU/ml、137．7mIU/ml和1066．7mIU/ml；史克必成疫苗分别为104．3mIU/ml、111．3mIU／ml和760．7mIU／ml。结论 国产甲肝灭活疫苗具有良好的安全性和免疫原性。     

An open study of inactivated hepatitis A vaccine (VAQTA) in Taiwanese healthy adult volunteers: safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity.

The safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of inactivated hepatitis A vaccine (VAQTA, Merck and Co. Inc., West Point, PA, USA) were investigated in 28 seronegative healthy adult volunteers. The age range was 25-35 years, and the mean age was 29 years. Two doses of the vaccine, each containing 50 U of hepatitis A virus antigen, were administered into the deltoid region 24 weeks apart. No serious vaccine-related adverse reactions were reported. Four weeks after the first dose, the geometric mean titer (GMT) was 150 mIU/mL, and the seroconversion rate was 100%. Twenty eight weeks after the first dose (4 weeks following the second dose), the GMT was 4576 mIU/mL. This study demonstrated that VAQTA is safe and highly immunogenic in healthy young adults in Taiwan.     

Low-cost hepatitis B vaccine improves uptake among self-paying health-care students.

Advisory committees recommend hepatitis B (HBV) immunization for professional and student health-care workers. However, the currently licensed vaccines are expensive, and previous surveys have shown that few students (14%) have been immunized in Canada. A low-cost immunization program was offered to health-care students in order to determine whether the effectiveness of HBV immunization could be improved by substantially reducing the vaccine cost to recipients. The immunogenicity, side effects, and 3-dose completion rate of a low-cost Korean HBV vaccine were compared with a similar U.S.-made vaccine. A total of 922 postsecondary students enrolled in 6 health-care disciplines in Ottawa, Canada were surveyed for hepatitis-B immunization status. Nonimmunized students were subsequently offered HBV vaccine at total cost of $15 (Canadian), randomly allocated to receive 3 intramuscular doses of either Korean or U.S.-made plasma-derived HBV vaccine in a double-blind fashion, surveyed about side effects, and tested for hepatitis B surface antibody seroconversion. Only 12% of the 922 surveyed students had been previously immunized when vaccine was obtainable only at high cost. However, 66% of those not immunized participated in the vaccine trial and paid the $15 fee. Hepatitis-B surface antibody seroconversion (greater than or equal to 10 sample ratio units by radioimmunoassay) occurred in 291/311 (93.6%) and 299/310 (96.5%) of recipients of 3 doses of the Korean and U.S. vaccines, respectively (P = 0.10). There were no meaningful differences in vaccine adverse effects, and 92.6% of recipients of either vaccine completed 3 doses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Long-term immunogenicity after one and two doses of a monovalent MF59-adjuvanted A/H1N1 Influenza virus vaccine coadministered with the seasonal 2009-2010 nonadjuvanted Influenza virus vaccine in HIV-infected children, adolescents, and young adults in a randomized controlled trial

Few data are available on the safety and long-term immunogenicity of A/H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccines for HIV-infected pediatric patients. We performed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the safety and long-term immunogenicity of 1 versus 2 doses of the 2009 monovalent pandemic influenza A/H1N1 MF59-adjuvanted vaccine (PV) coadministered with the seasonal 2009-2010 trivalent nonadjuvanted influenza vaccine (SV) to HIV-infected children, adolescents, and young adults. A total of 66 HIV-infected patients aged 9 to 26 years were randomized to receive one (group 1) or two (group 2) doses of PV coadministered with 1 dose of SV. The main outcome was the seroconversion rate for PV at 1 month. Secondary outcomes were the geometric mean titer ratios and the seroprotection rates at 1 month for all vaccines, seroconversion rates at 1 month for SV, and longitudinal changes of antibody titers (ABTs) at 1, 2, 6, and 12 months for all vaccines. Groups 1 and 2 had similar CD4 counts and HIV RNA levels during the study. The seroconversion rate for PV was 100% at 1 month in both groups. ABTs for PV were high during the first 6 months and declined below seroprotection levels thereafter. Longitudinal changes in ABTs were similar in groups 1 and 2 for both PV and SV. The side effects of vaccination were mild and mostly local. In HIV-infected children, adolescents, and young adults, the immune response triggered by a single dose of PV was similar to that obtained with a double dose and was associated with long-term antibody response.     

Vaccination against viral hepatitis of HIV-1 infected patients

Reciprocal interactions between HIV and HAV or HBV can increase risk of morbidity and mortality in HIV disease and/or worsened the natural course of the hepatitis viruses. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for HIV infected patients at risk for exposure or severe disease: men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, patients with chronic liver disease and patients traveling in high endemic countries. As for healthy adults the scheme of vaccination is two doses 6 or 12 mo apart, nevertheless, seroconversion rates are lower. A third dose could improve the seroconversion rates. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all HIV infected persons lacking prior immunity. As the immune response to hepatitis B vaccines is impaired in HIV-infected adults, four double doses of hepatitis B vaccine could enhance serological response. To assume a higher immune response, vaccines should be administered in HIV-infected patients with undetectable HIV viral load and high CD4 cell count.     

Antibody persistence and immune memory in healthy adults following vaccination with a two-dose inactivated hepatitis A vaccine: long-term follow-up at 15 years

Long‐term persistence of vaccine‐induced immune response in adults was assessed annually for 15 years following primary immunization with a two‐dose inactivated hepatitis A vaccine. In 1992, 119 and 194 subjects aged 17–40 years and naïve for hepatitis A virus (HAV) were enrolled in two studies to receive 1,440 ELISA units (El.U) of inactivated hepatitis A vaccine (Havrix?, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Belgium) according to a standard 0, 6 or an extended 0, 12 months schedule, respectively. Serum samples were taken 1 month after the second vaccine dose and every consecutive year up to 15 years after primary vaccination for measurement of anti‐HAV antibody concentrations (NCT00291876 and NCT00289757). At year 15, 100% (48/48) and 97.3% (108/111) of subjects vaccinated at 0, 6 or 0, 12 months remained seropositive for anti‐HAV antibodies, with geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of 289.2 and 367.4 mIU/ml, respectively. An additional dose of HAV vaccine (1,440 El.U) was administered to the six subjects who had become seronegative for anti‐HAV antibodies since year 11. All subjects mounted a humoral immune response to the additional HAV challenge dose, although post‐challenge anti‐HAV antibody levels remained low in one subject. These studies represent the longest annual follow‐up of hepatitis A vaccine in healthy adults. The immune response induced by two doses of this inactivated HAV vaccine was shown to persist for at least 15 years. No difference in long‐term antibody persistence was observed between the two primary vaccination schedules, reinforcing the potential for flexibility in the timing of the second primary vaccine dose. J. Med. Virol. 83:1885–1891, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.