On Mar. 29, 1996, the second inactivated hepatitis A vaccine (Vaqta by Merck) was recommended in persons greater than or equal to 2 years of age and updates previous recommendations for use of immune globulin (IG) for protection against hepatitis A. For preexposure protection, hepatitis A vaccine can now be used instead of IG in many circumstances; for postexposure prophylaxis, the recommendations for IG use are unchanged.

Until recently, the primary methods used for preventing hepatitis A have been hygienic measures and passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) to provide short-term preexposure or postexposure protection. The ability to grow hepatitis A virus (HAV) in cell culture has resulted in the development of vaccines that prevent HAV infection following preexposure immunization. For the individual, active immunization can provide long-term protection against HAV infection; from a public health perspective, active immunization provides the means to effectively control this disease.

The similarities between the epidemiology of hepatitis A and poliomyelitis suggest that widespread vaccination of appropriate susceptible populations can substantially lower disease incidence, eliminate virus transmission, and, ultimately, eradicate HAV infection.