Hepatitis A vaccines

Publication date: April–June 2014 Source:Pediatric Infectious Disease, Volume 6, Issue 2 Author(s): Nitin Shah HAV disease burden is high in countries in intermediate endemic zone. Besides there are population groups in all countries that have higher risk to develop severe hepatitis A disease. Not only is HAV a common cause of clinical hepatitis A disease but it is also a major reason for fulminant hepatic failure in children needing liver transplant. For long term individual protection live HAV vaccines are highly safe and efficacious. Use of HAV vaccine in NIP has shown virtual elimination of disease from entire community within few years of vaccination program. World Health Organization in its recent position paper suggests that both inactivated and live attenuated hepatitis A vaccines are highly immunogenic and immunization will generate long-lasting, possibly life-long, protection against hepatitis A in children as well as in adults. World Health Organization recommends using HAV vaccines in NIP in countries with significant HAV disease burden and in at risk groups in all countries. IAP ACVIP now recommends using one dose of live HAV vaccine and to use any HAV vaccine from 1 year of age.
Source: Pediatric Infectious Disease - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research