Recent advances with a virosomal hepatitis A vaccine

BACKGROUND: Epaxal, a virosomal vaccine against hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, has been in use for nearly 15 years, especially among at-risk adults. Recent studies have shown that it is also a potent vaccine for children. OBJECTIVE: To summarise recent advances of Epaxal Junior (0.25 ml, paediatric formulation). METHODS: Published papers reporting results on the virosomal HAV vaccine were abstracted and reviewed. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: In a comparative randomised trial, the paediatric dose was found to be highly immunogenic and non-inferior to the standard dose with respect to seroprotection rates. The concomitant administration of virosomal HAV vaccine with routine childhood vaccines was investigated in another trial. The virosomal HAV vaccine did not interact with the antibody response of routine childhood vaccines which in turn did not reduce the antibody response to HAV. In countries that recommend immunisation against hepatitis A, this virosomal vaccine is an excellent candidate with few side effects at the site of injection.