hepatitis a (inactivated) and hepatitis b (rdna) (hab) vaccine (adsorbed) at a glance
Medicine class
Combined inactivated hepatitis A and recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.
Licensed age range
Non-immune children and adolescents aged 1 to 15 years.
Administration
Intramuscular injection, usually into the upper arm; the thigh may be used in very young children.
Important limitation
Hepatitis B protection may remain incomplete until the vaccination course is completed.
What is hepatitis a (inactivated) and hepatitis b (rdna) (hab) vaccine (adsorbed) used for?
Active immunisation of non-immune children and adolescents aged 1 to 15 years against both infections.
Protection against hepatitis A infection.
Protection against hepatitis B infection.
Intended where hepatitis B exposure risk is relatively low while immunity develops and vaccination completion can be assured.
How does hepatitis a (inactivated) and hepatitis b (rdna) (hab) vaccine (adsorbed) work?
The vaccine presents inactivated hepatitis A virus antigen and yeast-produced hepatitis B surface antigen to the immune system. This produces antibodies and immune memory without causing either infection.
How to take hepatitis a (inactivated) and hepatitis b (rdna) (hab) vaccine (adsorbed)
A trained healthcare professional gives the vaccine by intramuscular injection. The syringe is shaken to form a uniform hazy white suspension and checked before use.
The upper-arm muscle is normally used; the thigh may be preferred in very young children.
Subcutaneous injection may exceptionally be considered for thrombocytopenia or a bleeding disorder, although the immune response may be reduced.
It must not be injected into a blood vessel or the buttock muscle.
hepatitis a (inactivated) and hepatitis b (rdna) (hab) vaccine (adsorbed) side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site pain or redness
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Reduced appetite or irritability
- Drowsiness
- Fever or injection-site swelling
- Stomach or bowel symptoms
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis or angioedema
- Seizure or serious neurological symptoms such as progressive weakness
- Severe skin reaction or unusual bleeding or bruising
hepatitis a (inactivated) and hepatitis b (rdna) (hab) vaccine (adsorbed) in pregnancy
Use during pregnancy is advised only when clearly needed and the expected benefit outweighs potential fetal risk. Hepatitis A-containing inactivated vaccines may be given when clinically indicated following individual assessment.
hepatitis a (inactivated) and hepatitis b (rdna) (hab) vaccine (adsorbed) while breastfeeding
Use is recommended when the expected benefit outweighs potential risk. Inactivated vaccines do not pose a risk to breastfed infants, and breastfeeding does not usually need to stop.
hepatitis a (inactivated) and hepatitis b (rdna) (hab) vaccine (adsorbed) interactions
Tell the vaccinator about other vaccines, immunoglobulins and treatments that suppress the immune system.
Hepatitis A or hepatitis B immunoglobulin
It can be given when clinically required, but vaccine-produced antibody concentrations may be lower.
Immunosuppressive medicines
The immune response may be reduced, so adequate protection cannot be assumed.
Other vaccines
When given at the same visit, vaccines should be injected at separate sites, preferably in different limbs.
Common questions about hepatitis a (inactivated) and hepatitis b (rdna) (hab) vaccine (adsorbed)
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can this vaccine cause hepatitis?
No. The hepatitis A component is inactivated, and the hepatitis B component contains recombinant surface antigen rather than infectious virus.
Can adults receive it?
Ambirix is not licensed for people older than 15 years; a clinician should select an age-appropriate hepatitis vaccine.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.