Hepatitis A Vaccine At Cvs

People Whose Lifestyle Increases Their Risk Of Acquiring Hepatitis A

Serological testing for hepatitis A immunity is not routinely recommended, but may be appropriate for some people

Serological testing for immunity to hepatitis A is not routinely recommended before receiving hepatitis A vaccine.

It is also inappropriate to test people who cannot remember whether they have ever had a hepatitis A vaccine. If a person is recommended for vaccination and has no records of previous vaccination, they should receive a vaccine.

However, certain groups of people should be screened for natural immunity to hepatitis A to avoid unnecessary vaccination:

• people who were born before 1950
• people who spent their early childhood in hepatitis Aendemic areas
• people with an unexplained previous episode of hepatitis or jaundice

People with unexplained jaundice should also be tested for other causes of hepatitis, including hepatitis B.

These people may need to be tested for total hepatitis A antibodies or IgG antibodies against hepatitis A virus. A positive test indicates immunity to hepatitis A. People who are immune do not need hepatitis A vaccination.

To better interpret serological testing results, discuss them with the laboratory that performed the test. Ensure that the laboratory receives the relevant clinical information.

See also Vaccine information and Variations from product information for more details.

Vaccine In High Demand After Restaurant Worker’s Diagnosis

CLAWSON, Mich. A day after health officials announced an Oakland County restaurant worker was diagnosed with Hepatitis A, a CVS Pharmacy in Clawson has run out of vaccine to treat the disease.

Staff at the pharmacy on West 14 Mile Road said they had to reorder 10 batches of the vaccine twice. A doctor had told them, “I didn’t know we were going to be ground zero for this.”

A CVS in Southfield also ran out of its more than 20 vaccines.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday a food service worker at Social Kitchen and Bar in Birmingham was diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Persons who consumed any food or drinks at Social Kitchen and Bar between July 16, 2016, and Aug. 6, 2016, may have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus.

The health department advises anyone who consumed food or beverage at the restaurant between July 27 and Aug. 6 to promptly contact their healthcare provider to receive vaccination.

Cvs Health Encourages Hepatitis A Vaccine For Hawaiian Residents

HONOLULU CVS Health is encouraging unvaccinated Hawaii residents to receive the hepatitis A vaccine after imported frozen raw tuna cubes distributed on Oahu tested positive for the virus. According to CVS, Longs Drugs stores and MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics in Hawaii currently have vaccines available and are able to administer the immunization to patients to protect against hepatitis A.

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect people from Hepatitis A and Longs Drugs and MinuteClinic are offering the hepatitis A vaccine at locations across the state. There are 70 Longs Drugs locations in Hawaii, as well as nine MinuteClinic locations.

“Immunizations are an important part of preventive care and a critical way to prevent the spread of serious illness, like Hepatitis A,” said Dr. Tobias Barker, chief medical officer of MinuteClinic. “Our Longs Drugs pharmacists and MinuteClinic nurse practitioners are able to provide vaccinations to Hawaiians who may have been exposed to the virus. They can also help ensure that patients stay up to date on vaccinations in the future.”

While vaccination provides the best protection from hepatitis A, frequent hand-washing with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing food can help prevent the spread of the illness. Appropriately cooking foods can also help to prevent infection.

Read Also: How To Find Out If You Have Hepatitis

Should Pregnant Or Breast

The safety of hepatitis A vaccination during pregnancy has not been determined however, because hepatitis A vaccine is produced from inactivated virus, the risk to the developing fetus is probably low. The risk associated with hepatitis A vaccine should be discussed with your health care provider to determine if vaccination is right for you.

Cvs Health Offers Hepatitis A Vaccine Amid Florida County Uptick

WOONSOCKET, R.I. As Floridas Broward County sees an uptick in hepatitis A cases, CVS Health is encouraging patients in the area to get vaccinated. So far this year, the county has seen 34 cases of hepatitis A an increase over the typical seven cases annually, according to the Florida Department of Health.

CVS Health said its 10 MinuteClinic locations in Broward County are stocked with the hepatitis A vaccine, and the vaccine is available at its 76 CVS Pharmacy locations in the county on a walk-in basis.

“Immunizations are an important part of preventive care and a critical way to prevent the spread of serious illness, like Hepatitis A,” MinuteClinic chief medical officer Dr. Tobias Barker said. “Our MinuteClinic nurse practitioners and CVS Pharmacy pharmacists are able to provide vaccinations to Floridians who may have been exposed to the virus or who are unaware of their vaccination status. They can also help ensure that patients stay up to date on vaccinations in the future.”

The vaccine can offer protection against the illness if given within two weeks of exposure. Those who have had hepatitis A before or have previously received two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine dont need to be immunized again, the company said. At MinuteClinic, patients ages 18 months and older, while CVS pharmacists can administer it to adults ages 18 years and older.

Also Check: How Do You Get Hepatitis A And B

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Hepatitis B Immunisation

All medicines and vaccines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time theyre not.

Generally, the chance of having a serious side effect from a vaccine is much lower than the chance of serious harm if you caught the disease.

Talk to your doctor about possible side effects of hepatitis B vaccines, or if you or your child have possible side effects that worry you.

Common side effects of hepatitis B vaccines include:

• soreness where the needle went in
• low-grade fever
• body aches.

The Consumer Medicine Information links in How do you get immunised against hepatitis B? list the side effects of each vaccine.

Liver Anatomy And Function

Main Function of the Liver

The liver is an essential organ that has many functions in the body. The liver plays an important role in detoxifying the body by converting ammonia, a byproduct of metabolism in the body, into urea that is excreted in the urine by the kidneys. The liver also breaks down medications and drugs, including alcohol, and is responsible for breaking down insulin and other hormones in the body. The liver also stores vitamins and chemicals that the body requires as building blocks.

Many different disease processes can occur in the liver, including infections such as hepatitis, cirrhosis , cancers, and damage by medications or toxins.

Symptoms of liver disease can include:

• Jaundice

Also Check: What Is Hepatitis C From

Safety Of Hepatitis Vaccines

Hepatitis vaccines have been given to millions of people all across the world without any evidence of serious side effects. “They’re very safe, and they’re extremely effective,” says Poland.

If you are not sure whether you should have hepatitis vaccines, talk with your doctor about your specific concerns.

What About The Vaccine

The best way to prevent Hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. The Hepatitis B vaccine is now given to most babies at birth, but many adults have not had it. A member of our CVS pharmacy® team or a MinuteClinic® provider can talk with you about your risk for getting Hepatitis B and answer your questions about the vaccine. They can also administer the vaccine if you decide it is right for you.

Also Check: How Dangerous Is Hepatitis C

How Hepatitis Is Spread

Hepatitis A: About 20,000 people in the U.S. contract hepatitis A each year. The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of the infected person. It is spread through contaminated food or water or by certain types of sexual contact.

Children who get hepatitis A often don’t have symptoms, so they can have the virus and not know it. However, they can still spread it easily. Fortunately, children are now routinely vaccinated against hepatitis A.

Most people who get hepatitis A recover completely within two weeks to six months and don’t have any liver damage. In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and even death in older adults or people with underlying liver disease.

Hepatitis B: Every year, about 40,000 people in the U.S. become infected with hepatitis B. Acute hepatitis lasts from a few weeks to several months. Many infected people are able to clear the virus and remain virus-free after the acute stage. However, for others, the virus remains in the body, and they develop chronic hepatitis B infection, which is a serious, lifelong condition. About 1.2 million people in the U.S. have chronic hepatitis B. Of these, 15% to 25% will develop more serious health problems, such as liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer, and some people die as a result of hepatitis B-related disease.

Hepatitis B cannot be spread by contaminated water, food, cooking, or eating utensils, or by breastfeeding, coughing, sneezing, or close contact such as kissing and hugging.

We Offer More Than Just Flu Shots

While vaccine availability may vary by state, all of our CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations offer most of the vaccinations commonly recommended by the CDC, including pneumonia, MMR , meningitis, and Hepatitis A and B.

Additionally, your pharmacist is an excellent resource for information about what vaccinations are appropriate for your age group.

An appointment for a vaccination is not required, but we do recommend that calling the store first to confirm that the vaccination youre looking for is in stock.

Also Check: What Is Hepatitis A And B And C

Hepatitis A In Other Countries

Hepatitis A occurs worldwide. Developing countries with poor hygiene measures are at higher risk of hepatitis A infection and transmission.

In areas of high endemicity, such as parts of Africa, Asia, Central America and South America, up to 90% of children have been infected with hepatitis A.2

Hepatitis A is commonly reported in foodborne outbreaks.

Inactivated hepatitis A vaccines are prepared from hepatitis A virus harvested from human diploid cell cultures.

Different strains of HAV are in different vaccines, but there is only 1 known serotype. Immunity induced by a particular strain probably protects against all strains. 7

How Is Hepatitis A Spread

The hepatitis A virus is found in the bowel movements of infected persons. People with hepatitis A infection who use the bathroom without proper hand washing can pass the virus on to others through food preparation or other hand-to-mouth contact. The disease can also be spread by sexual contact, or sharing of equipment used in illegal drug use, such as needles or pipes.

Hepatitis A can also be spread by drinking contaminated water, or by eating raw or under-cooked shellfish, such as crabs, clams, oysters or mussels that have been contaminated with sewage.

Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Hepatitis C

Complications Of Hepatitis A

Complications of hepatitis A are uncommon. Rarely, it may develop into fulminant hepatitis, for which mortality can be as high as 60%. 2,11 The case-fatality rate of hepatitis A increases with age and varies according to the population.2

Hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease. Relapse occurs in up to 10% of cases, but all relapsed cases recover.

How Much Do Vaccines Cost At Minuteclinic

MinuteClinic is a walk-in clinic that provides health screenings, treatment for common illnesses, and vaccinations for children, teens, and adults. Its located inside more than 1,100 CVS Pharmacy and Target locations in 33 states and Washington, D.C.

At MinuteClinic, the rules are a little different than at CVS Pharmacy. First, MinuteClinic doesnt offer COVID-19 vaccines. Many clinics still accept walk-ins, but some require appointments during the pandemic.

Lastly, unlike CVS Pharmacy, where pharmacists give shots, MinuteClinic is staffed by medical providers. That means a nurse practitioner or physician assistant will deliver your immunization instead of a pharmacist.

MinuteClinic accepts most insurance plans and lists its prices on its website. The prices represent the fee for a vaccine only. If you end up discussing other healthcare concerns during your vaccine appointment, you also may be charged for a separate medical visit.

Here are MinuteClinic cash prices for some of the most commonly requested vaccines, including:

You May Like: How Do You Get Hepatitis A B C

Can I Get Free Or Low

Whether you go to a pharmacy, your doctors office, or an urgent care clinic, vaccines can be pricey if you dont have insurance. That doesnt mean you have to give up essential vaccinations.

There are several ways you and your family can get free or low-cost vaccines.

• The Vaccines for Children Program provides vaccines at no cost for children under age 19 who qualify for Medicaid, dont have insurance, cant cover out-of-pocket insurance costs, or are Native American or an Alaskan Native.
• Federally funded health centers provide vaccinations, and the cost may vary based on your income. You can search for local health centers on the Health Resources and Services Administration website.
• Your states health department can also provide information on getting free or low-cost vaccines. The CDC offers on online directory of state health departments.
• Check to see if local community centers, schools, or places of worship are offering vaccinations.

How To Get Low

Children can receive financial assistance through the federal Vaccines for Children program. This is for kids who are:

• Uninsured

• Medicaid-eligible

• American Indian or Alaska Native

The shingles vaccines manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, offers a patient assistance program for those without insurance who cant afford the vaccine. Your healthcare provider needs to apply for the program on your behalf.

Don’t Miss: What Are The Early Symptoms Of Hepatitis C

How To Save Money On Vaccines

If youre uninsured or having trouble paying for your vaccines, talk to your CVS pharmacist.

GoodRx offers discounts on vaccines as well as medications. You can print or show the CVS pharmacist a GoodRx coupon. For the shingles vaccine Shingrix, for example, you can save as much as 22% off the average retail price. Another GoodRx coupon can help save as much as 36% off a Tdap vaccine.

Should I Get The Hepatitis A Vaccine

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for:

• Travelers to countries that have high rates of hepatitis A
• Family members or caregivers of a recent adoptee from countries where hepatitis A is common
• Men who have sex with men
• People who use injection and non-injection drugs
• People with chronic liver diseases, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C
• People who are teated with clotting-factor concentrates
• People who work with hepatitis A infected animals or in a hepatitis A research laboratory
• People who are experiencing homelessness
• People age 40 and older at increased risk for hepatitis A infection, or who are at increased risk for severe disease from hepatitis A infection who also have other risk factors
• People age 19 or older at increased risk for hepatitis A infection, or who are at increased risk for severe disease from hepatitis A infection who also have other risk factors

Health care providers recommend that all children receive a hepatitis A vaccination at around 1 year of age, but many adults have never received the vaccine because it only became available in 1995.

Health care personnel and patients with the following conditions should discuss the hepatitis A vaccination with their health care provider: pregnancy, immunocompromising conditions, HIV infection, heart disease, chronic lung disease, chronic alcoholism, asplenia, kidney failure.

You should NOT get the hepatitis A vaccination or you should wait, if you:

Read Also: Can Hepatitis C Go Away On Its Own

Are Vaccinations Required For Students To Go Back To School

Many school systems now require 5th ad 6th graders to receive a Tdap immunization. Meningitis vaccinations are also required by some colleges before incoming freshman are allowed to move into dorms or attend classes. To find out what vaccines are required for your individual situation, please contact your local school district or specific college.

Does Medicare Cover Vaccines

Medicare covers the flu and pneumococcal vaccines at 100% under Part B, along with the hepatitis B vaccine for those at higher risk. That means no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. A tetanus shot after experiencing a deep wound or burn also should be covered.

Medicare Part D plans should cover the shingles vaccine, but check with your plan. You may have to pay at least a portion out of pocket if you havent yet reached your deductible for the year . There may be a copay, depending on your plan.

Also Check: What Does Hepatitis C Do To You

Hepatitis A And B: Diseases Of The Liver

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, most often caused by a viral infection. There are three common types of hepatitis caused by viruses: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Vaccines have been developed that protect people from contracting hepatitis A and B. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be spread from person to person, although in different ways. They have similar symptoms, which include abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, joint pain, and jaundice .

Over the last 20 years, there has been a 90% decrease in cases of hepatitis A and an 80% decrease in hepatitis B cases in the U.S. Health experts believe that immunization efforts have led to this drop in rates of infection.

Do I Have To Make An Appointment

The COVID-19 vaccine requires making an appointment ahead of time at CVS.com. Most other vaccines are available on a walk-in basis. Same-day appointments are often available online. You can also answer the vaccine-specific questionnaire online instead of filling it out in person.

You may want to call ahead to your local CVS Pharmacy and make sure your desired vaccine is in stock. You can also check to see if theres a wait at the store or clinic.

Recommended Reading: How Is Hepatitis C Transmitted Cdc