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Ask the AIPO Experts
Clinical answers to vaccine questions
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Twinrix vaccine- Who can receive it?
Twinrix (combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine) was licensed in 2001 for adults 18 years or older. Twinrix is not indicated for pediatric patients. Therefore, persons younger than 18 years of age should receive the separate pediatric formulations of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines.
The Twinrix schedule is as follows:
- Routine 3-dose series at 0, 1, 6 months.
- Minimum intervals: Dose 1 to dose 2 at least 4 weeks; dose 2 to dose 3 at least 5 months.
- Twinrix is useful in travel situations when rapid protection against hepatitis B and hepatitis A is needed.
- The recommended accelerated schedule of Twinrix is a 4-dose series with doses given at 0, 7, 21–30 days, and booster 12 months after dose 1.
All recommended doses of Twinrix are needed in order to give full protection against hepatitis B and hepatitis A.
If for some reason, Twinrix is not available for follow up doses, separate adult doses of Hepatitis B and hepatitis A can be used as recommended to complete both vaccination schedules, while taking into account that any Twinrix that was received contained a standard pediatric dose of hepatitis A vaccine.
Resources:
CDC Pink Book
CDC Recommended Adult immunization Schedule
The Arizona Immunization Program Office (AIPO) has clinical staff available to assist with your immunization questions. (Or contact your local county health department).
Michelina Stazzone, DNP, RN, CPNP Michelina.stazzone@azdhs.gov, 480-259-5342
Sharon Sweeney, MPH, BSN Sharon.Sweeney@azdhs.gov, 480-261-5557
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