Long-term immunogenicity after single and booster dose of a live attenuated hepatitis A vaccine: Results from 8-year follow-up

Live, attenuated hepatitis A vaccines are used widely in China but there is uncertainty regarding the persistence of vaccine-induced anti-HAV antibodies after single dose and booster dose administrated at month 12. A large scale clinical trial to evaluate the live, attenuated hepatitis A vaccine was conducted in Hebei province between 1996 and 1999. Five years after the trials, children in single dose and booster dose groups were bled and followed. Seventy two percent (61/85) of children who received a single trial dose had detectable anti-HAV antibodies for 96 months (GMC at 96 months: 89.0 mIU/mL). In the booster group 98% (48/49) children remained anti-HAV positive with GMC of 262.8 mIU/mL at month 96. The reinjection with live attenuated HAV vaccine can elicit a booster effect. Results from single dose group seems not to support the need for booster doses of live attenuated hepatitis A vaccine in immunocompetent individuals regarding the persisting anti-HAV and anamnestic response of a single dose vaccine. Continued monitoring of anti-HAV antibodies is needed for a rational hepatitis A immunization strategy in China.