Primary Hepatitis A vaccination failure is a rare although possible event: results of a retrospective study

Abstract

A retrospective study was performed to evaluate whether the failure was primary or could be attributed to a specific lot of vaccine or to its inadequate handling and/or storage. Two distinct populations of vaccinees were selected in a 1:2 proportion. The case group (N = 31) included subjects who were vaccinated in the same period and with the same lot and batch of vaccine as the case. The control group (N = 62) included subjects who received different lot and batch of the same vaccine as the case group. A persisting antibody response to HAV vaccine was found among all subjects (anti-HAV >20 mIU/ml). The overall anti-HBs seropositivity rate (anti-HBs >10 mIU/ml) was 74%, without significant difference between the case (77%) and the control group (73%; P > 0.05). The reported Hepatitis A case can be attributed to a rare primary vaccine failure rather than to inefficacy of a specific lot of vaccine or to inappropriate vaccine handling or storage. Our study supports the indications for use of combined Hepatitis A + B immunization in travellers at risk for both infections, but stresses the need for information on correct hygienic behaviours while abroad.

Hepatitis E Virus Infection in a Student Healthcare Worker: A Case Report

“…At first sight, HAV infection could be ruled out as well, since the student had received two vaccine doses and primary HAV vaccine failure is very rare [20,21]. The combined results of the clinical and blood examination (fatigue, elevated liver enzyme values, Anti-HAV IgM and IgG positivity), however, seemed to contradict this assumption.…”

Trends and risk factors of hepatitis A in Catalonia after the introduction of a hepatitis A+B vaccination programme

“…Few patients in our study reported having received a dose of HAV, and only three had received two doses (0.1%). Although the HAV vaccine is highly immunogenic, other studies have reported failures in apparently vaccinated patients . These reported hepatitis A cases may be attributed to a rare primary vaccine failure rather than to the inefficacy of a specific lot of vaccine or to inappropriate vaccine handling or storage …”

“…Although the HAV vaccine is highly immunogenic, other studies have reported failures in apparently vaccinated patients. 20,21 These reported hepatitis A cases may be attributed to a rare primary vaccine failure rather than to the inefficacy of a specific lot of vaccine or to inappropriate vaccine handling or storage. 20 The hepatitis A risk factors varied between age groups, with some specific characteristics.…”

“…20,21 These reported hepatitis A cases may be attributed to a rare primary vaccine failure rather than to the inefficacy of a specific lot of vaccine or to inappropriate vaccine handling or storage. 20 The hepatitis A risk factors varied between age groups, with some specific characteristics. In the 0-19 years age group, immigrant patients who had visited friends and family in their countries of origin accounted for most imported cases.…”

Hepatitis A Virus among Drug Users and the Role of Vaccination: A Review

“…Vaccine-induced antibodies persist for more than 12 years in adults and there is good mathematical evidence that antibodies can persist for more than 25 years in more than 95% of vaccines (Nothdurft, 2008). Primary HAV vaccination failure in a healthy population has to be considered a rare event (Bonanni et al, 2005). Seroconversion after HAV vaccination has been defined by a particular neutralizing antibody level more than 20 mIU/mL.…”