Scientific Writing: Summary of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Statement Update on the Recommended Use of Hepatitis A Vaccine

摘要

BackgroundThe severity of hepatitis A (HA) increases with age. Children less than six years of age are commonly asymptomatic or present with mild disease without jaundice and represent an important source of infection, particularly for household members and other close contacts. In older children and adults, HA is typically symptomatic. Older persons and individuals with chronic liver disease and immunocompromising conditions have an increased risk of progressing to fulminant hepatic failure resulting in death. Immunization with HA vaccine is recommended for pre-exposure immunization of persons at increased risk of infection or severe HA, as well as within 14 days of HA exposure for: susceptible household and close contacts of proven or suspected cases of HA; co-workers and clients of infected food handlers; and staff and attendees of group child care centres and kindergartens where HA has occurred. Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has previously recommended HA vaccination for persons one year of age and over.