Vaccine
PREGNANCY RECOMMENDATION: No Human Data—Probably Compatible
BREASTFEEDING RECOMMENDATION: No Human Data—Probably Compatible
PREGNANCY SUMMARY
Hepatitis A virus vaccine inactivated is a noninfectious vaccine (1,2). No reports describing the use of the vaccine in pregnant humans have been located, but based on similar vaccines, the risk to the fetus from maternal vaccination appears to be minimal.
FETAL RISK SUMMARY
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with the vaccine.
The CDC considers the theoretical risk to the developing fetus to be low (3,4). The CDC and others state that hepatitis A vaccine can be given to pregnant women at high risk of exposure (3–5).
BREASTFEEDING SUMMARY
No data are available, but based on other inactivated viral vaccines, hepatitis A vaccine does not appear to be contraindicated during nursing.
References
1.Product information. Havrix (Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated). SmithKline Beecham, 2001.
2.Product information. Vaqta (Hepatitis A Vaccine, Inactivated). Merck, 2001.
3.CDC. Prevention of hepatitis A through active or passive immunization: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR 1996;46 (No. RR-15):1–30.
4.CDC. Guidelines for Vaccinating Pregnant Women. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/preg-guide.htm. Accessed May 16, 2010.
5.Duff B, Duff P. Hepatitis A vaccine: ready for prime time. Obstet Gynecol 1998;91:468–71.