Expert consensus and recommendations on the live attenuated hepatitis A vaccine and immunization practices in India

While Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) vaccination in global immunization programs has shown a virtual elimination of the disease within few years of the vaccination program, changing epidemiological landscape in India underscores the need for evidence-based, updated guidance on immunization practices. In May 2024, a panel of 15 distinguished opinion leaders and an organizing committee convened for an intensive, face-to-face advisory board meeting on high burden of HAV infection among adults, increased mortality rate in adolescents, symptomatic presentation in children, and evolving landscape globally and within India. Extensive comparable deliberations on long-term follow-up data from India and data from country of origin advocated immunogenicity, tolerability, and long-term protective effects of single-dose live attenuated HAV vaccine in children. Finally, a consensus was achieved on recognition of increased global attention toward HAV prevention through vaccination coverage. The need for a single dose of live attenuated HAV vaccine was an important outcome of this meeting.