Vaccinating with a combined hepatitis A/B vaccine quickly, over a 3-week period, may be more effective than the current vaccination protocol that takes 6 months, researchers reported here this week.
"The benefit of this method is that... we can provide hepatitis A and B resistance to those who may need immediate protection, such as travelers," Dr. Jane N. Zuckerman told Reuters Health.
Zuckerman, from the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK, presented her group's findings at the 10th International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease.
The researchers gave the combined vaccine, known as Twinrix, to a group of volunteers in three doses a week apart. Another group was given separate doses of the hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B) in three weekly doses and a single shot of the hepatitis A vaccine (Havrix).
A total of 497 volunteers took part in the study. The fast schedule of the combined vaccine yielded a stronger immune response against hepatitis A and B and required fewer injections than the individual vaccines.
"The combined (vaccine) seems to be more effective than the administration of either antibody alone," Zuckerman said. "We hope that by the end of the year that the Twinrix vaccine will be approved for use on the...21-day schedule."
