In 1995, highly effective inactivated hepatitis A vaccines were first licensed in the United States for preexposure prophylaxis against hepatitis A virus (HAV) among persons aged >2 years. In 2005, vaccine manufacturers received Food and Drug Administration approval for use of the vaccines in children aged 12--23 months (1).
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued recommendations for preexposure use of hepatitis A vaccine in 1996, 1999, and 2006 (1). Currently, ACIP recommends hepatitis A vaccination of all children at age 12--23 months, catch-up vaccination of older children in selected areas, and vaccination of persons at increased risk for hepatitis A (e.g., travelers to endemic areas, users of illicit drugs, or men who have sex with men) (1).
For decades, immune globulin (IG) has been recommended for prophylaxis after exposure to HAV (1). IG also has been recommended in addition to hepatitis A vaccine for preexposure prophylaxis for travelers to countries with high or intermediate hepatitis A endemicity who are scheduled to depart <4 weeks after receiving the initial vaccine dose. This report details updated recommendations, made by ACIP in June 2007, for prevention of hepatitis A after exposure to HAV and in departing international travelers (Box) and incorporates existing ACIP recommendations for prevention of hepatitis A
- Recommendation
- Americas
- United States of America
- Hepatitis A
