• VAQTA is indicated for active immunization against disease caused by hepatitis A virus in persons 12 months of age and older. Primary immunization should be given at least 2 weeks prior to expected exposure to hepatitis A virus.

Select safety information

• VAQTA is contraindicated in individuals who are hypersensitive to any component of the vaccine. Hepatitis A vaccine should not be administered to persons with a history of a severe reaction to a prior dose of hepatitis A vaccine or to a vaccine component.
• Individuals who develop symptoms suggestive of hypersensitivity after an injection of hepatitis A vaccine should not receive further injections of the vaccine.
• As with any vaccine, vaccination with VAQTA may not result in a protective response in all susceptible vaccinees.
• In combined clinical trials involving healthy children 12 to 23 months of age and children and adolescents 2 to 18 years of age, the most commonly reported complaints (>2% of injections) in one or both of these groups were localized injection-site reactions (pain/tenderness/soreness, warmth, erythema, swelling), fever, diarrhea, vomiting, irritability, upper respiratory infection, rhinorrhea, cough, rash, otitis media, and headache.
• The dosing regimen for VAQTA 0.5 mL (~25U) consists of 2 doses, the first given at 12 months to 18 years of age, and a booster dose given 6 to 18 months afterwards.

The expanded age indication for VAQTA gives you added
scheduling flexibility.

Dosing schedule for VAQTA

Reference: 1. American Academy of Pediatrics: Recommendations for preventive pediatric health care. Pediatrics. 2000;105:645–646.

VAQTA and M-M-R^®_II are registered trademarks of Merck & Co., Inc.

Back to the top