Vaqta Vaccine Description

Vaqta is an inactivated whole virus vaccine derived from hepatitis A virus grown in cell culture in human MRC-5 diploid fibroblasts. It contains inactivated virus of a strain, which was originally derived by further serial passage of a proven attenuated strain.

The virus is grown, harvested, and purified by combining physical and high-performance liquid chromatographic techniques, formalin-inactivated, and then adsorbed onto aluminum hydroxide.

Hepatitis A virus has a relatively long incubation period (approximately 20 to 50 days). Vaqta may not prevent hepatitis A infection in individuals who have an unrecognized hepatitis A infection at vaccination time.

MerckVaccines offers full information.

Vaqta Vaccine Indication

Vaqta is indicated for preventing disease caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) in persons 12 months of age and older.

Vaqta Vaccine Dosage

The primary dose should be given at least 2 weeks before expected exposure to HAV.

Vaqta is administered intramuscularly only. Children/Adolescents: vaccination consists of a 0.5-mL primary dose and a 0.5-mL booster dose 6 to 18 months later.  Adults: vaccination consists of a 1-mL primary dose and a 1-mL booster dose 6 to 18 months later. 

Vaqta Vaccine News

September 6, 2019 - Impact of Public Health Interventions on Drinking Water–Associated Outbreaks of Hepatitis A — the United States, 1971–2017. The CDC's MMWR highlights the decline in reported hepatitis A waterborne outbreaks from 1971-2017. Study authors attribute the decrease to the introduction of microbial drinking water regulations for public water systems initiated in 1989 and the wide implementation of the hepatitis A virus vaccine since 1995.