Production, quality control and characterization of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine

The isolation and adaptation of hepatitis A virus to cell culture opened the way to the development of vaccines. Based on experience with inactivated poliovaccines, a similar approach was chosen for the development of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine. Strain HM175, adapted to MRC-5 human diploid cells, was used as the virus strain. Vaccine production starts with growth and multiplication of the seed virus in MRC-5 cells. The harvests are clarified, purified and concentrated. Inactivation by formaldehyde is carried out on a pool of purified harvests. Close control of all process parameters results in consistent production of completely inactivated and highly immunogenic vaccine lots. Quality control testing is based on the general requirements for biologicals of WHO and National Control Authorities. Tests have been developed and validated to show the purity of the cell substrate used for each production cycle, the quality of the virus harvest, the adequacy of the purification and inactivation processes, and the conformity to stringent specifications for purity, safety and potency of the final bulk vaccine filled in final containers. The vaccine is characterized by adequate identity tests, by its reaction with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, by its immunogenicity in laboratory animals and by the detailed study of the immune response in primates and human volunteers. The final result of the development of adequate production and testing methods, confirmed by extensive characterization studies, is the availability of a consistent, safe and potent hepatitis A vaccine.