FIELD-EVALUATION OF A HEPATITIS-A VACCINE IN A NORWEGIAN CONTINGENT TO THE UNITED-NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON

The Norwegian population is basically seronegative regarding anti-hepatitis A antibodies. For this reason they are particularly vulnerable when exposed to hepatitis A virus when staying in highly endemic areas. Norwegian UN-personnel have so far been protected with serum immunoglobulins (Ig). Two studies are reported, one followed a vaccination schedule of 0, 1 and 2 months with a booster at month 12, while the other followed a schedule of day 0 and 14 with a booster at month 7. Both were field trials evaluating the new hepatitis A vaccine, from SmithKline Beecham Biological, in Norwegian UN soldiers serving in Lebanon. Both trials showed 100% seroconversion,following the initial vaccination course, with low reactogenicity and no clinical or subclinical sign of hepatitis. The new vacccine has decisive advantages over immunoglobulins on medical, practical and economic grounds.