What are the brand names of Hepatitis A vaccines?

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Hepatitis A Vaccine Brand Names

The brand names of hepatitis A vaccines available in the United States are Havrix, Vaqta, and Twinrix (a combination hepatitis A and B vaccine). 1, 2

Single-Antigen Hepatitis A Vaccines

Havrix

  • Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (Rixensart, Belgium) 1
  • Contains inactivated hepatitis A virus grown in human diploid fibroblast cells 2
  • Contains 2-phenoxyethanol as a preservative 2
  • Available in two formulations:
    • Pediatric/adolescent (12 months to 18 years): 0.5 mL containing approximately 720 ELU of hepatitis A antigen 2
    • Adult (>18 years): 1.0 mL containing approximately 1440 ELU of hepatitis A antigen 2
  • Administered as a 2-dose schedule 1

Vaqta

  • Manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. (Whitehouse Station, New Jersey) 1
  • Contains inactivated hepatitis A virus grown in human diploid fibroblast cells 2
  • Formulated without a preservative 2
  • Available in two formulations:
    • Pediatric/adolescent (12 months to 18 years): 25 U per dose 1
    • Adult (>18 years): 50 U per dose 1
  • Administered as a 2-dose schedule 1

Combination Hepatitis A and B Vaccine

Twinrix

  • Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline 1, 2
  • Contains both hepatitis A and hepatitis B antigens 1
  • Licensed for use in persons aged ≥18 years only 2
  • Contains 720 ELU of hepatitis A antigen (half of the Havrix adult dose) and 20 μg of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen 2
  • Contains 2-phenoxyethanol as a preservative 2
  • Administered as a 3-dose series on a 0-, 1-, and 6-month schedule 2
  • FDA approved in May 2001 3

Vaccine Characteristics

  • All hepatitis A vaccines licensed in the US are inactivated, whole-cell virus vaccines 2
  • All are administered intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle 1
  • None of the hepatitis A vaccines licensed in the United States have ever contained thimerosal 2
  • All contain aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant 2

Immunogenicity and Effectiveness

  • Within 1 month of receiving a first dose of hepatitis A vaccine, 97% of children and adolescents and 95% of adults develop protective antibody levels 2
  • After completing the recommended schedule, virtually 100% of individuals are protected against hepatitis A infection 2
  • For Twinrix, antibody responses to both hepatitis A and B antigens are equivalent to responses seen after the single-antigen vaccines are administered separately 1, 4
  • Long-term studies show antibody persistence for at least 10 years after primary vaccination with Twinrix 5

Storage Requirements

  • All hepatitis A vaccines should be stored and shipped at temperatures ranging from 35.6°F-46.4°F (2°C-8°C) 1
  • Vaccines should not be frozen 1

References

2
Guideline

hepatitis a vaccine recommendations.

Pediatrics, 2007

3
Research

FDA approval for a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine.

MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 2001

Related Questions

Is the Twinrix (hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine) preferred over the hepatitis B vaccine alone for protection against hepatitis B?
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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.