Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a vaccine cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another vaccine and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The safety of HAVRIX has been evaluated in 61 clinical trials involving approximately 37,000 individuals receiving doses of 360 EL.U. (n = 21,928 in 3- or 4-dose schedule), 720 EL.U. (n = 12,274 in 2- or 3-dose schedule), or 1440 EL.U. (n = 2,782 in 2- or 3-dose schedule).
Of solicited adverse reactions in clinical trials of adults, who received HAVRIX 1440 EL.U., and children (aged 2 years and older), who received either HAVRIX 360 EL.U. or 720 EL.U., the most frequently reported was injection-site soreness (56% of adults and 21% of children); less than 0.5% of soreness was reported as severe. Headache was reported by 14% of adults and less than 9% of children. Other solicited and unsolicited reactions occurring during clinical trials are listed below.
Incidence 1% to 10% of Injections
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: Anorexia.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Nausea.
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Fatigue; fever >99.5°F (37.5°C); induration, redness, and swelling of the injection site; malaise.
Incidence <1% of Injections
Infections and Infestations: Pharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infections.
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: Lymphadenopathy.
Psychiatric Disorders: Insomnia.
Nervous System Disorders: Dysgeusia, hypertonia.
Eye Disorders: Photophobia.
Ear and Labyrinth Disorders: Vertigo.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting.
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Pruritus, rash, urticaria.
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Arthralgia, myalgia.
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Injection site hematoma.
Investigations: Creatine phosphokinase increased.
Coadministration Studies of HAVRIX in Children Aged 11 to 25 Months
In 4 studies, 3,152 children aged 11 to 25 months received at least 1 dose of HAVRIX 720 EL.U. administered alone or concomitantly with other routine childhood vaccinations [see Clinical Studies (14.2, 14.5)]. The studies included HAV 210 (N = 1,084), HAV 232 (N = 394), HAV 220 (N = 433), and HAV 231 (N = 1,241).
In the largest of these studies (HAV 231) conducted in the U.S., 1,241 children aged 15 months were randomized to receive: Group 1) HAVRIX alone; Group 2) HAVRIX concomitantly with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine (manufactured by Merck and Co.) and varicella vaccine (manufactured by Merck and Co.); or Group 3) MMR and varicella vaccines. Subjects in Group 3 who received MMR and varicella vaccines received the first dose of HAVRIX 42 days later. A second dose of HAVRIX was administered to all subjects 6 to 9 months after the first dose of HAVRIX. Solicited local adverse reactions and general events were recorded by parents/guardians on diary cards for 4 days (Days 0 to 3) after vaccination. Unsolicited adverse events were recorded on the diary card for 31 days after vaccination. Telephone follow-up was conducted 6 months after the last vaccination to inquire about serious adverse events, new onset chronic illnesses, and medically significant events. A total of 1,035 children completed the 6-month follow-up. Among subjects in all groups combined, 53% were male; 69% of subjects were white, 16% were Hispanic, 9% were black, and 6% were other racial/ethnic groups.
Percentages of subjects with solicited local adverse reactions and general adverse reactions following HAVRIX administered alone (Group 1) or concomitantly with MMR and varicella vaccines (Group 2) are presented in Table 1. The solicited adverse reactions from the 3 additional coadministration studies conducted with HAVRIX were comparable to those from Study HAV 231.
Table 1. Solicited Local Adverse Reactions and General Adverse Reactions Occurring within 4 Days of Vaccinationa in Children Aged 15 to 24 Months with HAVRIX Administered Alone or Concomitantly with MMR and Varicella Vaccines (TVC) | Group 1 HAVRIX Dose 1 % | Group 2 HAVRIX+ MMR+Vb Dose 1 % | Group 1 HAVRIX Dose 2 % | Group 2 HAVRIX Dose 2 % |
Local (at injection site for HAVRIX) |
n | 298 | 411 | 272 | 373 |
Pain, any | 24 | 24 | 24 | 30 |
Redness, any | 20 | 20 | 23 | 24 |
Swelling, any | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
General |
n | 300 | 417 | 271 | 375 |
Irritability, any | 33 | 44 | 31 | 27 |
Irritability, Grade 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Drowsiness, any | 22 | 35 | 21 | 21 |
Drowsiness, Grade 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Loss of appetite, any | 18 | 26 | 20 | 21 |
Loss of appetite, Grade 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Fever ≥100.6°F (38.1°C) | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
Fever ≥101.5°F (38.6°C) | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Fever ≥102.4°F (39.1°C) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Total vaccinated cohort (TVC) = all subjects who received at least 1 dose of vaccine.
n = Number of subjects who received at least 1 dose of vaccine and for whom diary card information was available.
Grade 3: Drowsiness defined as prevented normal daily activities; irritability/fussiness defined as crying that could not be comforted/prevented normal daily activities; loss of appetite defined as no eating at all.
a Within 4 days of vaccination defined as day of vaccination and the next 3 days.
b MMR = Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine; V = Varicella vaccine.
Serious Adverse Events in Children Aged 11 to 25 Months: Among these 4 studies, 0.9% (29/3,152) of subjects reported a serious adverse event within the 31-day period following vaccination with HAVRIX. Among subjects administered HAVRIX alone 1.0% (13/1,332) reported a serious adverse event. Among subjects who received HAVRIX concomitantly with other childhood vaccines, 0.9% (8/909) reported a serious adverse event. In these 4 studies, there were 4 reports of seizure within 31 days post-vaccination: these occurred 2, 9, and 27 days following the first dose of HAVRIX administered alone and 12 days following the second dose of HAVRIX. In 1 subject who received INFANRIX (Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed) and Hib conjugate vaccine followed by HAVRIX 6 weeks later, bronchial hyperreactivity and respiratory distress were reported on the day of administration of HAVRIX alone.