Albumin, human - from human blood

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a protein derived from pooled human plasma and has been used in some vaccines as a stabilizer during manufacturing or in final formulations. Its role is to protect vaccine components (such as viruses) from degradation and to prevent them from adhering to container surfaces.

In more recent vaccine development, recombinant human albumin (rHA) is often used instead. rHA is produced using biotechnology rather than human blood, reducing reliance on plasma-derived materials while serving the same stabilizing function.

“Human albumin” on a vaccine label can mean two different things: protein from donated plasma, or the same protein made in a lab (recombinant).