What is the Havrix (Hepatitis A vaccine) dosage by weight?

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Last updated: March 13, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

The Havrix vaccine dosage is based on age, not weight, with 720 EL.U/0.5 mL for children and adolescents aged 1-18 years, and 1440 EL.U/1 mL for adults 19 years and older. The dosage recommendations are supported by the most recent evidence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1.

Key Points

  • The pediatric formulation of Havrix is 720 EL.U/0.5 mL, administered in a 2-dose schedule for children and adolescents aged 1-18 years.
  • The adult formulation of Havrix is 1440 EL.U/1 mL, administered in a 2-dose schedule for adults 19 years and older.
  • The weight-based dosing is not explicitly recommended, but rather age-based dosing.
  • Administration of Havrix should be as an intramuscular injection in the deltoid muscle for adults and older children, or in the anterolateral thigh for younger children.
  • Common side effects include soreness at the injection site, headache, and fatigue, which typically resolve within a few days.

Administration

When administering Havrix, it is essential to follow the recommended schedule and dosage to ensure optimal immune response and minimize side effects. The CDC recommendations 1 provide guidance on the administration of Havrix for different age groups and risk categories.

Evidence

The evidence from the CDC 1 and other studies 1 supports the use of Havrix vaccine in preventing hepatitis A infection. However, the most recent and highest-quality study 1 should be prioritized when making recommendations.

From the Research

Havrix Dosage by Weight

The Havrix (Hepatitis A vaccine) dosage is not directly specified by weight in the provided studies. However, the following information is available:

  • For patients 2-18 years of age, the recommended dose is 0.5 mL (720 ELISA units) 2.
  • For adults, the recommended dose is 1.0-mL (1440 ELISA units) 2, 3.
  • There is no specific dosage recommendation by weight, but rather by age group.

Key Points

  • The dosage for children 2-18 years of age is 0.5 mL (720 ELISA units) 2.
  • The dosage for adults is 1.0-mL (1440 ELISA units) 2, 3.
  • Other studies compare the immunogenicity of different hepatitis A vaccines, including Havrix, but do not provide dosage information by weight 4, 5, 6.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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