hepatitis A and hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine

Hepatitis A/B vaccine is a man-made combination vaccine containing inactivated hepatitis A virus strain and non-infectious hepatitis B virus surface antigen. Inactive Hepatitis A virus combined with hepatitis B antigens stimulates the immune system to develop immunity against hepatitis A and B virus infections. The FDA approved hepatitis A/B vaccine in May 2001.

Side effects of hepatitis A/B vaccine are injection

• site soreness and pain,
• headache,
• fatigue,
• redness,
• diarrhea,
• nausea, and
• fainting.

The tip caps of pre-filled syringes may contain latex which can cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive people. Serious allergic reactions, abnormal heart beats, and hair loss have also been reported.

Adults of 18 years of age or older:

• Standard dosing: Standard dosing schedule consists of 3 doses of 1 ml each. Administer 1 ml, intramuscularly on deltoid muscle, at 0, 1, and 6 months.
• Accelerated dosing: Accelerated dosing schedule consists 4 doses of 1 ml each. Administer 1 ml intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle on days 0, 7, and 21 to 30, followed by a 4th dose at month 12.

Safe and effective use of hepatitis A/B vaccine in patients younger than 18 years of age has not been established.

Hepatitis A/B vaccine vaccines should not be used with medications and therapies that suppress the immune system such as adalimumab (Humira), belimumab (Benlysta), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), azathioprine (Imuran), irradiation, and high doses of steroids because suppressing the immune system reduces the effectiveness of hepatitis A/B vaccine.

There are no adequate studies done on hepatitis A/B vaccine to determine safe and effective use in pregnant women. Hepatitis A/B vaccine should be given to pregnant women only if clearly needed.

It is not known whether hepatitis A/B vaccine enters breast milk; therefore, it is best to be cautious before using it when you are breastfeeding.

What preparations of hepatitis B/hepatitis A vaccine are available?

PREPARATIONS:

• Hepatitis A/B vaccine is available as sterile, preservative-free, intramuscular injections.
• Hepatitis A/B vaccine injections are available in 1 ml single-dose vials and 1 ml single-dose pre-filled disposable syringes.
• Each 1 ml dose of vaccine contains 720 ELISA Units of inactivated Hepatitis A virus and 20 mcg of recombinant Hepatitis B antigen protein.

How should I keep hepatitis B/hepatitis A vaccine stored?

Store hepatitis A/B vaccine under refrigeration between 2 C and 8 C (36 F and 46 F). Do not freeze hepatitis A/B vaccine vaccines and discard if they have been frozen.