CPT® Code 90632

The hepatitis A vaccine (HepA), identified by CPT® Code 90632, is designed for adult administration via intramuscular injection. Unlike immune globulins, which offer short-term, passive immunity, vaccines like HepA provide active, long-term immunity. This is achieved by introducing altered forms of the hepatitis A virus to the recipient's immune system, prompting it to produce its own antibodies. As a result, the immune system retains a memory of how to generate these antibodies upon future exposure to the virus, thereby offering protection against hepatitis A, a serious liver disease that can lead to hospitalization and, in severe cases, death. The vaccine can be derived from the blood plasma of asymptomatic carriers or synthesized through recombinant technology, where a plasmid containing the hepatitis gene is inserted into baker's yeast. The yeast is then lysed, and the components are purified for use in the vaccine. This code specifically reports the hepatitis A vaccine for intramuscular use in adults, distinguishing it from other related codes that pertain to pediatric or adolescent dosages and combinations with hepatitis B vaccines.