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October 28, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Hepatitis Vaccine: More Awareness Needed"

Economic Times of India (www.economictimes.com) (10/26/02); Mathur, Meghana

Although the hepatitis A vaccine Avaris was launched in India nearly two years ago, many people are still not aware of it. Though physicians believe the vaccine is the best way to prevent against hepatitis A infection, their primary health focus as until now been on diseases that impact the heart and brain--not the liver, says Dr. S.N. Chandrashekhar, medical advisor to Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals.  Glaxo's hepatitis A vaccine, which contains inactivated HM175 strain absorbed on to 0.5 mg aluminum as aluminum hydroxide, works to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies, which neutralize the virus and protect against hepatitis A, notes pediatrician Dr. Chaya Nair.  To combat the lack of knowledge about the vaccine, Glaxo has been promoting the vaccine in urban and suburban areas over the past year.  Twinrix, a vaccine that protects against hepatitis A and B and offers lifetime protection with just three doses, was launched 10 months ago.

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