Vaqta injectable

HEPATITIS A VACCINE, INACTIVATED (Havrix suspension 720 EL.U/0.5 iiiL of viral antigen, Vaqta injectable 25 U/0.5 iiiL of HAV protein, injectable 50 U/1 iviL of HAV protein. 

There is no benefit in administering the vaccine after a person has been exposed to the HAV. Two inactivated hepatitis A vaccines, Havrix and VAQTA, are available in the United States and are effective in providing active immunization. The major difference between the two vaccines is that HAVRIX contains 2-phenoxyethanol as a preservative whereas VAQTA is preservative-free.1 Either vaccine is effective in providing active pre-exposure prophylaxis when given in two injections 6 months apart (referred to as months 0 and 6). The two vaccines are considered interchangeable, and doses are dependent on age (Table 21-3). 

In a paper dealing mainly with indications for the use of hepatitis vaccine, the data on the hepatitis A vaccines most widely used, HAVRIX (manufactured by Glaxo SmithKline) and VAQTA (manufactured by Merck), have been summarized (1). The data are based on prelicensure clinical trials and worldwide follow-up reports. No serious adverse effects have been attributed to hepatitis A vaccines. In children who received HAVRIX, soreness (15%) and induration (4%) at the injection site, feeding problems (8%), and headaches (4%) have been the most frequently observed adverse effects. In children who received VAQTA, the most common adverse effects were pain (19%), tenderness (17%), and warmth (9%) at the injection site. The reported frequencies were similar to the frequencies reported with hepatitis B vaccines. 

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