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VAQTA demonstrated 100% efficacy against hepatitis A in the landmark Monroe study of 2 to 16-year-olds

A landmark study was done to evaluate the efficacy of VAQTA in children 2 to 16 years of age, along with a 9-year follow-up study.1,2,a

In the Monroe study, VAQTA demonstrated 100% efficacy against hepatitis A with 21 cases occurring in the placebo group and none in the vaccine group (P < 0.001) ≥ 50 days after vaccination.1

Following review of the interim analysis of the initial study after a single dose, the monitoring committee recommended that the study be terminated so that the placebo recipients could be vaccinated. A booster dose was administered to a subset of vaccinees 6, 12, or 18 months after the primary dose.1

Clinical study designs

aAn initial randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a single dose of VAQTA in a community with recurrent outbreaks. In this study, 1037 children, 2 to 16 years of age, were enrolled. Each child received an intramuscular dose of VAQTA (25 U) (n=519) or placebo (n=518). Efficacy was based on clinically confirmed cases of hepatitis A occurring ≥ 50 days after vaccination.1

After 5 months, the initial study was terminated so that the vaccine could be provided to the subjects in the placebo group. A second (booster) dose was administered at 6, 12, or 18 months after the first dose of VAQTA. All vaccinees were closely monitored for clinically confirmed cases of hepatitis A from 1991 to January 2001.1,2

The total duration of the protective effect of VAQTA in healthy vaccinees is unknown at present.

Vaccination with VAQTA may not result in a protective response in all susceptible vaccinees.

There are many opportunities to vaccinate your pediatric patients3

View dosing schedule flexibility for VAQTA

References

  1. Werzberger A, Mensch B, Kuter B, et al. A controlled trial of a formalin-inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in healthy children. N Engl J Med. 1992;327(7):453–457.
  2. Werzberger A, Mensch B, Nalin DR, et al. Effectiveness of hepatitis A vaccine in a former frequently affected community: 9 years’ followup after the Monroe field trial of VAQTA. Vaccine. 2002;20(13–14):1699–1701.
  3. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Recommended child and adolescent immunization schedule for ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2024. Accessed June 25, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/child/0-18yrs-child-combined-schedule.pdf

Indication for VAQTA®(Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated)

VAQTA® (Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated) is indicated for the prevention of disease caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) in persons 12 months of age and older. The primary dose should be given at least 2 weeks prior to expected exposure to HAV.

 

Dosage and Administration for VAQTA

Children/Adolescents (12 months through 18 years of age): The vaccination schedule consists of a primary 0.5 mL dose administered intramuscularly and a 0.5 mL booster dose administered intramuscularly 6 to 18 months later.

 

Booster Immunization Following Another Manufacturer’s Hepatitis A Vaccine: A booster dose of VAQTA may be given at 6 to 12 months following a primary dose of Havrix*.

 

*Havrix is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.

Select Safety Information for VAQTA®(Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated)

Do not administer VAQTA to individuals with a history of immediate and/or severe allergic or hypersensitivity reactions (eg, anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any hepatitis A vaccine, or to individuals who have had an anaphylactic reaction to any component of VAQTA, including neomycin.

 

The vial stopper and the syringe plunger stopper and tip cap contain dry natural latex rubber that may cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals.

 

The most common local adverse reactions and systemic adverse events (≥15%) reported in different clinical trials across different age groups when VAQTA was administered alone or concomitantly were:

 

  • Children 12 through 23 months of age: injection-site pain/tenderness (37.0%), injection-site erythema (21.2%), and fever (16.4% when administered alone, and 27.0% when administered concomitantly).
  • Children/Adolescents 2 through 18 years of age: injection-site pain (18.7%).

 

Safety and effectiveness in infants below 12 months of age have not been established.

 

Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a diminished immune response to VAQTA and may not be protected against HAV infection after vaccination.

 

Hepatitis A virus has a relatively long incubation period (approximately 20 to 50 days). VAQTA may not prevent hepatitis A infection in individuals who have an unrecognized hepatitis A infection at the time of vaccination.

 

In clinical trials in children, VAQTA was concomitantly administered with one or more of the following US-licensed vaccines: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live; Varicella Vaccine, Live; Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, Adsorbed; Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella Vaccine, Live; Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine; and Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate). Safety and immunogenicity were similar for concomitantly administered vaccines compared to separately administered vaccines.

 

The total duration of the protective effect of VAQTA in healthy vaccinees is unknown at present.

 

Vaccination with VAQTA may not result in a protective response in all susceptible vaccinees.

 

Before administering VAQTA, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information also is available.

Indication for VAQTA®(Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated)

VAQTA® (Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated) is indicated for the prevention of disease caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) in persons 12 months of age and older. The primary dose should be given at least 2 weeks prior to expected exposure to HAV.

 

Dosage and Administration for VAQTA

Children/Adolescents (12 months through 18 years of age): The vaccination schedule consists of a primary 0.5 mL dose administered intramuscularly and a 0.5 mL booster dose administered intramuscularly 6 to 18 months later.

 

Booster Immunization Following Another Manufacturer’s Hepatitis A Vaccine: A booster dose of VAQTA may be given at 6 to 12 months following a primary dose of Havrix*.

 

*Havrix is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.

VAQTA® (Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated) is indicated for the prevention of

VAQTA® (Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated) is indicated for the prevention of disease caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) in persons 12 months of age and older. The primary dose should be given at least 2 weeks prior to expected exposure to HAV.

Select Safety Information for VAQTA®(Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated)

Do not administer VAQTA to individuals with a history of immediate and/or severe allergic or hypersensitivity reactions (eg, anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any hepatitis A vaccine, or to individuals who have had an anaphylactic reaction to any component of VAQTA, including neomycin.

 

The vial stopper and the syringe plunger stopper and tip cap contain dry natural latex rubber that may cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals.

 

The most common local adverse reactions and systemic adverse events (≥15%) reported in different clinical trials across different age groups when VAQTA was administered alone or concomitantly were:

 

  • Children 12 through 23 months of age: injection-site pain/tenderness (37.0%), injection-site erythema (21.2%), and fever (16.4% when administered alone, and 27.0% when administered concomitantly).
  • Children/Adolescents 2 through 18 years of age: injection-site pain (18.7%).

 

Safety and effectiveness in infants below 12 months of age have not been established.

 

Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a diminished immune response to VAQTA and may not be protected against HAV infection after vaccination.

 

Hepatitis A virus has a relatively long incubation period (approximately 20 to 50 days). VAQTA may not prevent hepatitis A infection in individuals who have an unrecognized hepatitis A infection at the time of vaccination.

 

In clinical trials in children, VAQTA was concomitantly administered with one or more of the following US-licensed vaccines: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live; Varicella Vaccine, Live; Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, Adsorbed; Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella Vaccine, Live; Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine; and Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate). Safety and immunogenicity were similar for concomitantly administered vaccines compared to separately administered vaccines.

 

The total duration of the protective effect of VAQTA in healthy vaccinees is unknown at present.

 

Vaccination with VAQTA may not result in a protective response in all susceptible vaccinees.

 

Before administering VAQTA, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information also is available.

Do not administer VAQTA to individuals with a history of immediate and/or

Do not administer VAQTA to individuals with a history of immediate and/or severe allergic or hypersensitivity reactions (eg, anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any hepatitis A vaccine, or to individuals who have had an anaphylactic reaction to any component of VAQTA, including neomycin.