• Vaccine Name: Recombivax HB
• Target Pathogen: Hepatitis B virus
• Target Disease: Hepatitis B
• Product Name: Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant)
• Tradename: Recombivax HB
• Manufacturer: Merck & Co, Inc
• Vaccine Ontology ID: VO_0010737
• CDC CVX code: 08, 43,
• Type: Subunit vaccine
• Status: Licensed
• Location Licensed: USA (License #0002)
• Host Species for Licensed Use: Human
• Antigen: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) produced in yeast cells.
• Adjuvant: aluminum hydroxide vaccine adjuvant
  • Adjuvant name: aluminum hydroxide vaccine adjuvant
  • VO adjuvant ID: VO_0000127
• Preparation: RECOMBIVAX HB is a sterile suspension for intramuscular injection. It is a non-infectious subunit viral vaccine derived from hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) produced in yeast cells. A portion of the hepatitis B virus gene, coding for HBsAg, is cloned into yeast, and the vaccine for hepatitis B is produced from cultures of this recombinant yeast strain according to methods developed in the Merck Research Laboratories. The antigen is harvested and purified from fermentation cultures of a recombinant strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing the gene for the adw subtype of HBsAg (Merck: Recombivax HB).
• Storage: Store vials and syringes at 2-8°C (36-46°F). Do not freeze.
• Approved Age for Licensed Use: All ages
• Contraindication: RECOMBIVAX-HB should not be administered to anyone with a known hypersensitivity to yeast or any component of the vaccine.

Human Response

• Side Effects: Side effects included: pain, redness and swelling of the injection site, fatigue, fever, headache and nausea.