http://edie.cprost.sfu.ca/gcnet/ISS4-06f.html

The US Food and Drug Administration in late February approved the hepatitis A vaccine called Harvix. The product was expected to be available in a matter of weeks from its makers, SmithKline Beecham.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection that hits between 100,000-150,000 US residents annually. It is most common in developing countries where sanitation is poor. In the US, outbreaks usually occur in poor crowded areas like Indian reservations.

The virus is spread through fecal-contaminated water or food, including raw shellfish. It can be spread also by improper hand washing, which also has caused occasional outbreaks in US day- care centers or restaurants.

The vaccine will give long-term protection. A study of 19,000 children in hepatitis-plaqued Thailand found Havrix was at least 84 percent effective in preventing hepatitis A.

Vaccine recipients will need two doses, the first at least two weeks prior to exposure and the second six to 12 months later.

Return to the Global Child Health News & Review Table of Contents

Return to the Global ChildNet Homepage