Introduction: Establishing the safety and immunogenicity of a hepatitis E virus vaccine in multiple populations could facilitate broader access and prevent maternal and infant mortality.
Methods: We conducted a phase 1, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled (4:1 vaccine: placebo) trial of 30 µg HEV-239 (Hecolin®, Xiamen Innovax Biotech Company Limited, China) administered intramuscularly in healthy US adults aged 18-45 years. Participants were vaccinated on days 1, 29, and 180. Participants reported solicited local and systemic reactions for 7 days following vaccination and were followed through 12 months after enrollment for safety and immunogenicity (IgG, IgM).
Results: Solicited local and systemic reactions between treatment and placebo group were similar and overall mild. No participants experienced serious adverse events related to HEV-239. All participants receiving HEV-239 seroconverted at one month following the first dose and remained seropositive throughout the study. HEV-239 elicited a robust hepatitis E IgG response that peaked one month following the second dose (Geometric Mean Concentration (GMC) 6.16; 95% CI 4.40-8.63), was boosted with the third dose (GMC 11.50; 95% CI 7.90-16.75) and persisted through 6 months.
Conclusions: HEV-239 is safe and elicits a durable immune response through at least 6 months after the third dose in healthy US adults.
Clinical trials registration: NCT03827395. Safety Study of Hepatitis E Vaccine (HEV239) - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov.
Keywords: Hepatitis E; acute hepatitis; immunization.
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