Interference of antibody production to hepatitis B surface antigen in a combination hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine.

A randomized trial comparing 3 manufacturing consistency lots of a combination hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine to each other and to hepatitis A vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine given separately and concurrently was done to evaluate safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity. Healthy volunteers >/=11 years of age were divided into 4 groups. Each of 3 groups received a separate consistency lot of the combination vaccine, and 1 group received separate but concurrent injections of hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines. Injections were given at weeks 0 and 24. The combination vaccine was generally well tolerated. The hepatitis A portion of the combination vaccine produced clinically acceptable high seropositivity rates 4 and 52 weeks after the first injection. The hepatitis B portion of the vaccine did not produce clinically acceptable seropositivity rates 4 weeks after the second injection. Lack of antibody production may be attributed, at least in part, to immunologic interference.

Duke Scholars

Author Emmanuel Benjamin Walter Jr. Pediatrics, General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health

Author Dennis Alfred Clements III Pediatrics, General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health