ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVENESS AND IMMUNOGENICITY OF HEPATITIS A VACCINATION IN SERVICEMEN OF INTERNAL FORCES OF MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF RUSSIA

Aim. Comarative assessment of immunological and epidemiological effectiveness of hepatitis A vaccination and duration of immunity after immuniza- tion in servicemen. Materials and methods. During 1996—2003, immunogenicity and epidemiologic effectiveness of 3 vaccines against hepatitis A—Havrix 1440 (GlaxoSmithKline, Belgium), Hep-A-in-Vac (Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides, Russia), and Avaxim (Sanofi Pasteur, France) — were evaluated. More than 15.000 servicemen were immunized during that time. In all cases one-dose vaccination without booster was performed. Results. Several cases of acute hepatitis A were registered 12 months and 6—8 months after vaccination in military communities immunized with Havrix 1440 and Hep-A-in-Vac vaccines respectively. Usage of Avaxim vaccine as a single dose in field tri- als allowed to exclude new cases of acute hepatitis A during time of military service. It was shown that 5 years after single vaccination with Avaxim protective anti-HAV antibody level (20 IU/l) persisted in 90% of Internal Forces servicemen. Conclusion. On the basis of performed complex of studies, system of antiepidemic measures was developed, which leads to decrease of hepatitis A incidence. Selective immunization is proposed.

hepatitis A, vaccination, postvaccination immunity