VACCINE, HEPATITIS A

Fetal Risk Summary

Hepatitis A virus vaccine inactivated is a noninfectious vaccine (1,2). Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with the vaccine.

No reports describing the use of the vaccine in pregnant humans have been located, but based on similar vaccines, any risk to the fetus from maternal vaccination is probably minimal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the theoretical risk to the developing fetus to be low (3).

Based on the experience with other inactivated viral vaccines, hepatitis A vaccine can be given to the pregnant woman at risk of infection (3,4).

Breast Feeding Summary

No data are available, but based on other inactivated viral vaccines, hepatitis A vaccine does not appear to be contraindicated during nursing.

References

1. Product information. Havrix (Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated). SmithKline Beecham, 2001.
2. Product information. Vaqta (Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated). Merck, 2001.
3. CDC. Prevention of hepatitis A through active or passive immunization: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR 1996;46 (No. RR-15):1–30.
4. Duff B, Duff P. Hepatitis A vaccine: ready for prime time. Obstet Gynecol 1998;91:468–71.