Control of a community-wide outbreak of hepatitis A by mass vaccination with inactivated hepatitis A vaccine

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2001 Mar;20(3):185-7. doi: 10.1007/s100960100461.

Abstract

The epidemiology and control of hepatitis A virus was investigated during an outbreak of hepatitis A in a village in Israel. Postexposure administration of immune globulin to contacts was ineffective in controlling the outbreak. However, within 2 weeks of starting a mass immunization campaign with hepatitis A vaccine, the incidence of hepatitis A declined dramatically; the last case occurred 6 weeks after the immunization program began. The study demonstrated that while postexposure administration of immune globulin may diminish but not entirely arrest transmission of hepatitis A virus, active hepatitis A vaccination is a safe and effective intervention that can be used safely in hepatitis A virus antibody-positive children.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Hepatitis A / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis A / prevention & control*
  • Hepatitis A Antibodies
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines / adverse effects
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines / immunology*
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines, Inactivated / immunology

Substances

  • Hepatitis A Antibodies
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines
  • Hepatitis Antibodies
  • Vaccines, Inactivated