Immunogenicity, effectiveness and safety of combined hepatitis A and B vaccine: a systematic literature review.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A and B are two of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccination for Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) is recommended for those at risk of contracting HAV and/or HBV through their occupation, travel or lifestyle. OBJECTIVE: To describe the vaccine efficacy, immunogenicity, effectiveness and safety of the combined vaccine against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature published between 1990 and 2015. RESULTS: Anti-HAV seropositivity rates ranged from 96.2% to 100% and anti-HBs seroprotection rates from 82% to 100%. Antibodies persisted up to 15 years and geometric mean concentration (GMC) remained above the seropositivity cut-off value for both. Anti-HAV and anti-HBs immune responses were lower in less immunocompetent individuals one month after completion of the immunization schedule. The safety profiles of Twinrix(TM) and monovalent hepatitis A and B vaccines were similar. CONCLUSION: The vaccine offers satisfactory long-term immunogenicity rates, expected duration of protection and safety profile similar to the monovalent hepatitis A or B vaccines.