hepatitis a (inactivated) and hepatitis b (rdna) (hab) vaccine (adsorbed): prescribing and clinical use
Focused clinical detail for use alongside current product information, local policy and patient-specific assessment.
hepatitis a (inactivated) and hepatitis b (rdna) (hab) vaccine (adsorbed): clinical details
Prescribing considerations
- Confirm that protection against both infections is required and the patient is within the licensed age range.
- Use only where hepatitis B exposure risk is relatively low while immunity develops; choose another approach when rapid protection is required.
- Postpone during acute severe febrile illness. Minor illness without systemic upset is not normally a reason to defer.
- Assess bleeding risk and injection route in thrombocytopenia, anticoagulation or bleeding disorders.
- Ensure facilities for managing anaphylaxis and preventing injury from syncope are available.
- Record the product name and batch number.
Contraindications and cautions
- Hypersensitivity to an active substance, excipient or neomycin.
- Hypersensitivity following previous hepatitis A or hepatitis B vaccination.
- Acute severe febrile illness requires postponement rather than permanent avoidance.
Monitoring
- Observe for immediate allergic reactions and syncope.
- An adequate response cannot be assumed in immunodeficiency, during immunosuppressive treatment or in haemodialysis patients; specialist assessment or serological monitoring may be appropriate.
- Check that the suspension is uniformly hazy white and free from foreign particles.
Clinical pharmacology
Induces anti-HAV and anti-HBs antibodies against inactivated hepatitis A antigen and recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen adsorbed onto aluminium-containing adjuvants.
Formulation and product differences
- Turbid white suspension supplied in a pre-filled glass syringe.
- Hepatitis A antigen is produced in human diploid cells; hepatitis B surface antigen is produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using recombinant DNA technology.
- The components are adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide and aluminium phosphate respectively.
- The syringe tip cap and plunger stopper are synthetic rubber.
- The formulation is essentially sodium-free and contains sodium chloride and water for injections.
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.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.