Hepatitis A

Vaqta by Merck (Hep A)

Captured 2022-11-06
Document Highlights

Initial U.S. Approval: 1996

VAQTA is a vaccine indicated for the prevention of disease caused by hepatitis A virus…

55.7% of subjects experienced systemic adverse events.

[U]nsolicited local adverse reactions and systemic adverse events [which were] observed at a common frequency of ≥1% to <10%
– Conjunctivitis
– Constipation; vomiting
– Injection-site bruising; injection-site ecchymosis
– Otitis media [ear infection]; nasopharyngitis; rhinitis; viral infection; croup; pharyngitis streptococcal; laryngotracheobronchitis; viral exanthema; gastroenteritis viral; roseola
– Anorexia
– Insomnia; crying
– Cough; nasal congestion; respiratory congestion
– Rash vesicular; measles-like/rubella-like rash; varicella-like rash; rash morbilliform

Serious Adverse Events
[F]ebrile seizure (0.05%), dehydration (0.02%), gastroenteritis (0.02%), and cellulitis (0.02%).

[U]nsolicited systemic adverse events [occurring] within 14 days at a common frequency of ≥1% to <10%
– Back pain; stiffness
– Menstruation disorders

Post-Marketing Experience
– Thrombocytopenia.
Guillain-Barré syndrome; cerebellar ataxia; encephalitis.

VAQTA is an inactivated whole virus vaccine derived from hepatitis A virus grown in cell culture in human MRC-5 diploid fibroblasts.

Each 0.5-mL pediatric dose contains… approximately 0.225 mg of aluminum provided as amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate…

Each 1-mL adult dose contains… approximately 0.45 mg of aluminum provided as amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate…

VAQTA has not been evaluated for its carcinogenic or mutagenic potential, or its potential to impair fertility.

Comments

Vaqta is manufactured using human aborted fetal cells (MRC-5) and was not tested for safety in a placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Why this is important.

Clinical trials compared Vaqta against control vaccines (often administered concomitantly) or a liquid containing the aluminum adjuvant (referred to as "placebo").