Due to their impaired immune system, patients with renal insufficiency have a suboptimal response to hepatitis B (HB) vaccination and frequent boosters are needed to maintain protection. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals has developed a HB vaccine containing a new adjuvant system AS04 for use in this immunocompromised patient population.
Matched MeSH terms: Hepatitis B Vaccines/adverse effects
Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) secondary to vaccinations is rare, especially after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A 31-yearold female received autologous HSCT for relapsed Hodgkin Disease, with platelet engraftment at Day+14. One week after receiving second scheduled vaccinations, she developed severe thrombocytopenia (3x109/L) associated with pharyngeal hematoma. Bone marrow (BM) examinations were consistent with ITP, possibly secondary to Influenza vaccine. Platelet increment was poor despite high dose corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), Danazol and Eltrombopag. A repeated BM biopsy was in agreement with ITP. Re-treatment with tapering doses of prednisolone resulted in stable platelet counts at 120x109/L a year later.
Matched MeSH terms: Hepatitis B Vaccines/adverse effects
Malaysian infants would have to receive nine injections during the first few months of life in order to be protected against disease caused by hepatitis B (HBV), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) if single HBV and Hib vaccines were used. We evaluated a combined DTPw-HBV/Hib vaccine administered at 1.5, 3 and 5 months after a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HBV). One month after completion of the primary vaccination, 99% of subjects had seroprotective anti-HBV antibody levels, and at least 98% had seroprotective antibodies against diphtheria, tetanus, and Hib, and were seropositive for pertussis antibodies. The immune response to the combined vaccine was comparable to that induced by separate injections with DTPw, HBV and Hib vaccines. Overall, the DTPw-HBV/Hib vaccine was as well tolerated as separate administration of DTPw, HBV and Hib vaccines. The combined DTPw-HBV/Hib vaccine induces protection against five diseases as recommended in the Malaysian routine vaccination schedule. Use of the combined DTPw-HBV/Hib vaccine can reduce the required number of injections from nine to four in the first few months of life.
Matched MeSH terms: Hepatitis B Vaccines/adverse effects