LONG-TERM IMMUNOGENICITY AND SAFETY OF AN INACTIVATED HEPATITIS-A VACCINE IN HEMOPHILIC PATIENTS

As a consequence of recent outbreaks of HAV infection by blood product s, 91 patients, haemophiliacs and subjects with bleeding disorders (10 of whom were also anti-HIV positive) susceptible to HAV infection rec eived a formalin-inactivated hepatitis A vaccine (HAVRIX 720 Elisa Uni ts, SmithKline Beecham). Subcutaneous injections were given in the del toid region at 0, 1 and 6 months. The seroconversion rates and titres, expressed in GMT IU/I, were determined at 1, 2, 6, 7, 12, 18 and 24 m onths. No adverse reactions to the vaccine were observed. The highest percentage of responders observed was 98.7% in anti-HIV negative and 7 1.4% in anti-HIV positive patients. The anti-HAV GMT titres were highe r in anti-HIV negative than in anti-HIV positive patients. The inactiv ated hepatitis A vaccine is safe, clinically well tolerated, and provi des long-term protection against HAV infection.