Hepatitis A booster vaccination: is there a need?
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| Abstract |
Hepatitis A is one of the most common vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in the world. Effective vaccines against hepatitis A have been available since 1992, and they provide long-term immunity against the infection. However, there is no worldwide consensus on how long protection will last or whether there will be a need for hepatitis A virus (HAV) booster vaccinations in the future. In most countries, booster-vaccination policy is guided by manufacturers' recommendations, national authorities, or both. In June, 2002, a panel of international experts met to review the long-term immunogenicity and protection conferred by HAV vaccine in different population groups. Data have shown that after a full primary vaccination course, protective antibody amounts persist beyond 10 years in healthy individuals, and underlying immune memory provides protection far beyond the duration of anti-HAV antibodies. The group concluded that there is no evidence to lend support to HAV booster vaccination after a full primary vaccination course in a healthy individual. However, further investigations are needed before deciding if boosters can be omitted in special patient-groups.
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| Authors | P Van Damme, J Banatvala, O Fay, S Iwarson, B McMahon, K Van Herck, D Shouval, P Bonanni, B Connor, G Cooksley, G Leroux-Roels, F Von Sonnenburg, International Consensus Group on Hepatitis A Virus Immunity |
| Journal | Lancet (London, England) (Lancet) Vol. 362 Issue 9389 Pg. 1065-71 (Sep 27 2003) ISSN: 1474-547X [Electronic] England |
| PMID | 14522539 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Consensus Development Conference, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review) |
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