Introduction

Live virus vaccine. Available in US as adenovirus type 4 and type 7 vaccine live oral containing viable, selected strains of human adenovirus type 4 and type 7 prepared in human diploid fibroblast cell cultures. Used to stimulate active immunity to the adenovirus serotypes represented in the vaccine.

Uses for Adenovirus Vaccine

Prevention of Adenovirus Respiratory Disease

Prevention of febrile acute respiratory disease caused by adenovirus type 4 and type 7. Labeled by FDA for use in military populations 17 through 50 years of age; not commercially available for use in other individuals. (See Restricted Distribution under Dosage and Administration.)

Adenoviruses, especially adenovirus type 4 and type 7, commonly cause acute respiratory disease (e.g., runny nose, fever, sore throat, breathing problems, cough, headache, croup, bronchitis). Certain adenovirus serotypes cause other illnesses (e.g., conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, otitis media, gastroenteritis, cystitis). Disseminated or life-threatening infections can occur (e.g., severe pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis, encephalitis). Adenoviruses spread person to person via direct contact, respiratory droplet transmission, or food and/or water contaminated with feces. Fomites also may be involved in transmission since adenoviruses survive for long periods outside of the body, including on environmental surfaces, and are unusually stable when exposed to chemical and physical agents or adverse pH conditions.

Military recruits are at increased risk of acute respiratory illnesses during basic training because of several factors, including close sleeping and training environments where transmission of respiratory pathogens is facilitated, congregation of young adults arriving from wide geographic distributions who may enter basic training carrying pathogens capable of being spread to others who are immunologically susceptible, and stressful nature of basic training and military operations. Adenoviruses, especially adenovirus type 4 and type 7, are a well documented cause of acute respiratory illness in military recruits; adenoviruses reportedly cause 50–80% of cases of acute respiratory disease in this population. Outbreaks of adenovirus-associated disease also occur in other populations (e.g., healthcare-associated outbreaks), but the combination of sustained transmission and relatively high and predictable attack rates of adenovirus-associated respiratory disease appears to be unique to military basic trainees.

US Department of Defense (DOD) requires that all enlisted US military recruits 17 through 50 years of age receive a single dose of adenovirus type 4 and type 7 vaccine live oral at the earliest opportunity upon arrival at initial entry training (basic military training), unless contraindicated (see Contraindications under Cautions). May also be recommended for other military personnel at high risk for adenovirus infection, but not required for cadre working at enlisted basic training sites.

Adenovirus Vaccine Dosage and Administration

General

Restricted Distribution

Developed specifically for use in military populations. Labeled by FDA for use in military populations 17 through 50 years of age; not available for use in other populations.

Administration

Oral Administration

Administer orally as 2 separate tablets: one tablet containing adenovirus type 4 vaccine component and one tablet containing adenovirus type 7 vaccine component.

Tablets contain live adenovirus inside an enteric coating; designed to pass through stomach intact and release live vaccine virus in the intestine. Swallow tablets whole; do not chew or crush. If tablets are chewed, adenovirus will be released too soon and could expose the upper respiratory tract to live vaccine virus and result in adenovirus disease.

To facilitate swallowing of vaccine tablets and reduce risk of inadvertent chewing, ingest the tablets with a small amount of water. Both vaccine tablets may be swallowed at the same time or swallowed separately, one after the other, whichever is easier to accomplish without chewing.

If vaccine tablets are accidentally chewed, clear the vaccine from the mouth by swishing and swallowing several sips of water, followed by swishing antiseptic mouthwash for 30 seconds and then spitting the used mouthwash into a container. Consider the used mouthwash biohazardous material and handle and dispose of according to local guidelines. Advise individuals who inadvertently chew tablets to seek medical care if they develop symptoms of fever or respiratory infection and to inform their clinician about the chewed tablets.

Defer administration of vaccine tablets in individuals with vomiting and/or diarrhea. (See Concomitant Illness under Cautions.)

May be given simultaneously with or at any interval before or after other vaccines. (See Vaccines under Interactions.)

Dosage

Adults

Prevention of Adenovirus Respiratory Disease

Military Personnel 17 through 50 Years of Age

Administer as a single dose consisting of one tablet of adenovirus type 4 component and one tablet of adenovirus type 7 component. (See Preparations for description of tablet contents.)

Duration of protection not determined; revaccination or additional doses not recommended.

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

No specific dosage recommendations.

Renal Impairment

No specific dosage recommendations.

Geriatric Patients

Not indicated in adults >50 years of age, including geriatric adults.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy. (See Pregnancy under Cautions.)

• History of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any vaccine component.

• Inability to swallow tablets whole without chewing. (See Oral Administration under Dosage and Administration.)

Warnings/Precautions

Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality

Natural adenovirus infection during pregnancy has been associated with fetal harm. Not known whether adenovirus vaccine can cause fetal harm. (See Pregnancy under Cautions.)

Contraindicated in pregnant women; avoid pregnancy for at least 6 weeks after vaccination.

Because vaccinees shed live vaccine virus for up to 28 days after vaccination and because of possibility of fetal harm if a pregnant woman is exposed to adenovirus, advise vaccine recipients to use caution for 28 days after vaccination if in close contact with a pregnant woman.

Individuals with Altered Immunocompetence

Safety and efficacy not established in immunocompromised individuals.

US Public Health Service Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that individuals with altered immunocompetence generally should not receive live vaccines since these individuals may be at increased risk for adverse reactions to such vaccines and may have diminished or suboptimal immune responses to vaccines. These experts state that use of live virus vaccines can be considered in patients with leukemia, lymphoma, or other malignancies if the disease is in remission and chemotherapy was terminated at least 3 months prior to vaccination. (See Immunosuppressive Agents under Interactions.)

US Army Military Vaccine Agency (MILVAX) states that adenovirus vaccine is not contraindicated in HIV-infected individuals and routine screening for HIV prior to administration of the vaccine is unnecessary.

Transmission of Vaccine Virus

Adenovirus vaccine contains live adenovirus; vaccine virus is shed in the stool of vaccine recipients and can be transmitted to and cause disease in close contacts.

Fecal shedding has been detected as early as day 7 after vaccination and may last for up to 28 days after vaccination. In one study, 27 or 60% of vaccinees shed adenovirus type 4 or type 7 vaccine virus, respectively, in their stools; vaccine virus not detected in feces of any of these individuals by 28 days after vaccination and not detected in throat of any vaccinated individuals.

Caution is advised for 28 days after vaccination if vaccinee is in close contact with children <7 years of age, immunocompromised individuals, or pregnant women (see Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality under Cautions).

To minimize potential transmission of vaccine virus, vaccinees should use hygienic measures (e.g., frequent hand washing, especially after bowel movements) for 28 days after vaccination.

Risk of Transmissible Agents in Plasma-derived Preparations

Adenovirus vaccine contains albumin human. Since albumin human is prepared from human blood, it is a potential vehicle for transmission of human viruses and there is a theoretical risk of transmitting the causative agent of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Improved donor screening practices and viral elimination/inactivation procedures have resulted in plasma-derived preparations with greatly reduced risk for transmission of viruses. No cases of transmission of viruses or CJD have been identified for plasma-derived albumin human.

Concomitant Illness

Defer vaccination in individuals with vomiting and/or diarrhea; effectiveness of the vaccine depends on replication of live vaccine virus in the intestines.

ACIP states defer vaccination in individuals with a moderate or severe acute illness (with or without fever) until they have recovered to avoid superimposing adverse effects of the vaccine on the underlying illness or to avoid mistakenly concluding that a manifestation of the underlying illness resulted from vaccination.

Limitations of Vaccine Effectiveness

May not protect all vaccine recipients against adenovirus infection; will not provide protection against other serotypes not represented in the vaccine (e.g., adenovirus types 3, C, 14, 21).

Duration of Immunity

Duration of protection not determined; revaccination or additional doses not recommended.

Improper Storage and Handling

Improper storage or handling of vaccines may reduce vaccine potency resulting in reduced or inadequate immune responses in vaccinees.

Inspect all vaccines upon delivery and monitor during storage to ensure that the appropriate temperature is maintained. (See Storage under Stability.)

Do not administer vaccine that has been mishandled or has not been stored at the recommended temperature. If there are concerns about mishandling, contact the manufacturer or state or local immunization or health departments for guidance on whether the vaccine is usable.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnant women; avoid pregnancy for at least 6 weeks after vaccination. (See Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality under Cautions.)

There were 5 pregnancies reported among women enrolled in a clinical study evaluating the vaccine in US military recruits ≥17 years of age. Four of these women (3 vaccine recipients and 1 placebo recipient) were estimated to have conceived 2–13 days prior to vaccination; the other woman (vaccine recipient) conceived approximately 21 weeks after vaccination. All 5 women delivered healthy infants with estimated gestational ages of 36–40 weeks.

Data not available regarding effect of the vaccine on labor and delivery. Vaccine virus shed in stools during delivery may result in transmission of vaccine virus to the neonate.

Lactation

Not known whether adenovirus vaccine distributed into human milk.

Manufacturer states use with caution in nursing women; some experts state do not use in nursing women.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in infants and children <17 years of age.

Adults 51 through 64 Years of Age

Not indicated in adults 51 through 64 years of age.

Geriatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in adults ≥65 years of age.

Clinical studies did not include individuals ≥65 years of age; data not available to determine whether geriatric individuals respond differently than younger adults.

Common Adverse Effects

Upper respiratory tract infection, headache, nasal congestion, pharyngolaryngeal pain (sore throat), cough, arthralgia, GI effects (abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting).

General

Restricted Distribution

Developed specifically for use in military populations. Labeled by FDA for use in military populations 17 through 50 years of age; not available for use in other populations.

Administration

Oral Administration

Administer orally as 2 separate tablets: one tablet containing adenovirus type 4 vaccine component and one tablet containing adenovirus type 7 vaccine component.

Tablets contain live adenovirus inside an enteric coating; designed to pass through stomach intact and release live vaccine virus in the intestine. Swallow tablets whole; do not chew or crush. If tablets are chewed, adenovirus will be released too soon and could expose the upper respiratory tract to live vaccine virus and result in adenovirus disease.

To facilitate swallowing of vaccine tablets and reduce risk of inadvertent chewing, ingest the tablets with a small amount of water. Both vaccine tablets may be swallowed at the same time or swallowed separately, one after the other, whichever is easier to accomplish without chewing.

If vaccine tablets are accidentally chewed, clear the vaccine from the mouth by swishing and swallowing several sips of water, followed by swishing antiseptic mouthwash for 30 seconds and then spitting the used mouthwash into a container. Consider the used mouthwash biohazardous material and handle and dispose of according to local guidelines. Advise individuals who inadvertently chew tablets to seek medical care if they develop symptoms of fever or respiratory infection and to inform their clinician about the chewed tablets.

Defer administration of vaccine tablets in individuals with vomiting and/or diarrhea. (See Concomitant Illness under Cautions.)

May be given simultaneously with or at any interval before or after other vaccines. (See Vaccines under Interactions.)

Dosage

Adults

Prevention of Adenovirus Respiratory Disease

Military Personnel 17 through 50 Years of Age

Administer as a single dose consisting of one tablet of adenovirus type 4 component and one tablet of adenovirus type 7 component. (See Preparations for description of tablet contents.)

Duration of protection not determined; revaccination or additional doses not recommended.

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

No specific dosage recommendations.

Renal Impairment

No specific dosage recommendations.

Geriatric Patients

Not indicated in adults >50 years of age, including geriatric adults.

Vaccines

Specific studies not available evaluating whether concurrent administration with other vaccines affects immunologic responses or adverse effects. May be administered simultaneously with or at any interval before or after other vaccines, including other live virus vaccines.

Has been administered concurrently with other vaccines containing diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal, poliovirus, varicella, typhoid, or yellow fever antigens.

Specific Drugs