hepatitis A vaccine (L-A-1 strain)

The **hepatitis A vaccine (L-A-1 strain)** is a live attenuated viral vaccine designed to provide active immunity against infection by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Developed in China by the Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences under the leadership of Professor Mao Jiangsen, the L-A-1 strain was derived from a clinical isolate and attenuated through serial passage in human diploid cells (KMB17 or 2BS). Unlike the inactivated HAV vaccines commonly used in Western markets (which typically require a two-dose regimen), the L-A-1 live vaccine is administered as a single dose, making it a highly cost-effective option for mass immunization. It replicates minimally in the host to induce a robust and long-lasting immune response, including both neutralizing antibodies and T-cell mediated immunity, mimicking the protection provided by natural infection without causing clinical disease. It has been a cornerstone of the expanded program on immunization (EPI) in China since its licensure in the early 1990s.

Brand names

Pukang Live Hepatitis A Vaccine

Other names

Live attenuated hepatitis A vaccine (L-A-1 strain)Hepatitis A vaccine, live, attenuatedLA-1 strain live HAV vaccineLA1 strain live HAV vaccineLA 1 strain live HAV vaccine