More Information On Side Effects
Reactions listed under possible side effects or adverse events on vaccine product information sheets may not all be directly linked to the vaccine. See Vaccine side effects and adverse reactions for more information on why this is the case.
If you are concerned about any reactions that occur after vaccination, consult your doctor. In the UK you can report suspected vaccine side effects to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency through the Yellow Card Scheme
Hepatitis A And International Travel
Who should receive protection against hepatitis A virus before travel?
All susceptible people traveling to or working in countries that have high or intermediate HAV endemicity are at increased risk for HAV infection. These travelers should be vaccinated or receive immune globulin before departure . For more information on international travel and hepatitis A, see CDCs travel page or ACIP updated recommendations on Prevention of Hepatitis A after Exposure to Hepatitis A Virus and in International Travelers.
How soon before international travel should the first dose of hepatitis A vaccine be given?
All unvaccinated people 12 months of age planning travel to an area with high or intermediate HAV endemicity should receive a single dose of vaccine as soon as travel is considered they should then complete the vaccine series with the appropriate dose and schedule. People traveling within 2 weeks should receive the initial dose of hepatitis A vaccine before departure and also simultaneously may be administered IG at a separate anatomic injection site for additional short-term protection . The hepatitis A vaccine series should be completed according to the routine schedule. Information on immune globulin dosing and additional information on hepatitis A vaccine and travel is available.
What should be done to protect international travelers < 6 months of age and other travelers unable to receive hepatitis A vaccine?
What Are The Symptoms
The period between exposure and onset of symptoms for hepatitis A virus is generally around 28 days with common symptoms including: fever, loss of appetite, nausea and pain in the right upper abdomen, followed within several days by jaundice, a condition that results in yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes. Symptoms may range from mild to severe, with some individuals displaying none. Children under 6 years of age are often asymptomatic but they are capable of transmitting the infection to others.
The infection can persist for anywhere from 1 to 2 months and the severity varies from a mild illness to a severely disabling disease lasting several months. Approximately 10%-15% of infected people have prolonged or relapsing symptoms over a 6- to 9-month period. Severe complications including fulminant hepatitis and liver failure are rare but more likely to occur in older adults and people with underlying liver disease.
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Pregnancy And Hepatitis A Immunisation
Hepatitis A immunisation is not usually recommended for women who are pregnant although vaccination might be recommended in some situations.
Speak with your doctor if you are not immune to hepatitis A and you are at increased risk of infection or if you have a pre-existing medical condition such as liver disease.
How Is Hepatitis A Spread
Hepatitis A is spread from person to person by the fecal-oral route. The virus is excreted in the feces of the infected person, especially the week or two before the symptoms start, and while the person has jaundice.
Hepatitis A infection can happen by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated by the feces of people infected with Hepatitis A virus. This contamination happens more often in countries where Hepatitis A occurs more frequently. It also happens from eating improperly cooked shellfish.
People with Hepatitis A can spread the virus to others if they do not wash their hands after having a bowel movement, after changing the diapers of an infected person, or before preparing food for others.
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Hepatitis A And B Vaccination
Effective and well-tolerated hepatitis A and B vaccines are available either as monovalent formulations or in various combinations. Although the benefits of a full primary vaccination course are clearprotection against potentially life-threatening diseasesthe requirement for a booster varies in different countries. Recommendations for the administration of hepatitis boosters in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany illustrate this. In the United States, a hepatitis B booster is not recommended for children and adults with a normal immune status , whereas in the United Kingdom, administration of a single booster dose 5 years after completion of the primary course is deemed necessary . In Germany, for example, Empfehlungen der Ständigen Impfkommission recommendations published in July 2004 state that immune response should be checked for persons who are immunodeficient and suggest the same for persons aged > 40 years. For persons with antihepatitis B surface antigen titers of < 100 mIU/mL, 1 extra dose is recommended, followed by an additional antibody test. In vaccinees with anti-HBs titers of > 100 mIU/mL, a booster is recommended after 10 years when the potential for risk continues . The World Health Organization has recognized that almost all children are protected against hepatitis B after vaccination, without a requirement for boosters, and that the protection is most likely lifelong .
Where Does Hepatitis A Occur
Hepatitis A is a very common illness throughout the world. Even developed countries like Canada, the United States or Australia can have outbreaks. But, some regions carry a higher risk of infection.
The vaccine is recommended for travel to almost every region of the world. Some of the most popular destinations where hepatitis A vaccination would be recommended include:
Great experience.
To find out if hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for your trip, see our destination advice portal.
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People Whose Occupation Increases Their Risk Of Acquiring Hepatitis A
People who live or work in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia or Western Australia are recommended to receive hepatitis A vaccine.
2 doses are required, with a recommended interval between doses of 6 months.
People who regularly provide care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia are recommended to receive hepatitis A vaccine.
2 doses are required, with a recommended interval between doses of 6 months.
Early childhood educators and carers are recommended to receive hepatitis A vaccine.
2 doses are required, with a recommended interval between doses of 6 months.
Carers of people with developmental disabilities are recommended to receive hepatitis A vaccine.
2 doses are required, with a recommended interval between doses of 6 months.
Plumbers and sewage workers are recommended to receive hepatitis A vaccine.
2 doses are required, with a recommended interval between doses of 6 months.
Hepatitis A Vaccine And International Travel
Who should get the hepatitis A vaccine before traveling internationally?
All unvaccinated people, along with those who have never had hepatitis A, should be vaccinated before traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common. Travelers to urban areas, resorts, and luxury hotels in countries where hepatitis A is common are still at risk. International travelers have been infected, even though they regularly washed their hands and were careful about what they drank and ate. Those who are too young or cant get vaccinated because of a previous, life-threatening reaction to the hepatitis A vaccine or vaccine component should receive immune globulin. Travelers to other countries where hepatitis A does not commonly occur are not recommended to receive hepatitis A vaccine before travel.
How soon before travel should I get the hepatitis A vaccine?
You should get the first dose of hepatitis A vaccine as soon as you plan international travel to a country where hepatitis A is common. The vaccine will provide some protection even if you get vaccinated closer to departure. For older adults , people who are immunocompromised, and people with chronic liver disease or other chronic medical conditions the health-care provider may consider, based on several factors, giving an injection of immune globulin at the same time in different limbs.
What should I do if I am traveling internationally but cannot receive hepatitis A vaccine?
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How Long Does Hep A Vaccine Last
Thanks to vaccines, many serious infections and diseases that took countless lives are now almost a thing of the past. In fact, hepatitis A incidence rate has dwindled by an amazing 95% since the vaccine was first introduced in the US in 1995.
But in 2016, there has been an increase in hep A cases as a result of food imports. And this makes it all the more important to get a shot of hep A vaccine. But you may still wonder how long does hep A vaccine last?
Who Should Get The Hepatitis A Vaccine
The CDC recommends that all children between ages 12 months and 23 months get this vaccine as well as for any infant aged 6 to 11 months who is traveling internationally.
The following people are also at risk for the disease and should be vaccinated:
- Children and teens through age 18 who live in states or communities that have made this vaccination routine because of a high rate of disease
- Men who have sex with men
- Anyone who uses illegal drugs
- People with chronic liver disease
- Anyone treated with blood clotting drugs, such as people with hemophilia
- People who work with HAV-infected primates or in HAV research laboratories.
- Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common. A good source to check is the CDCâs travelersâ health website, which you can search by the country youâre going to.
- People adopting or close to a child adopted from a country where hepatitis A is common
You should not get the vaccine if you’re allergic to any ingredients in it or if you had a severe allergic reaction to an earlier dose of it. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any allergies you have.
If you’re pregnant, let your doctor know. The safety of this vaccine for pregnant women is unknown, although the risk is considered to be very low.
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Who Should Receive Twinrix
According to Canadian medical advice, the vaccine is required for all those seeking to minimize their hepatitis A and B infection risk. Twinrix is used for vaccinating adults, teenagers, youngsters and babies above one year of age.
In specific, vaccination against hepatitis A is suggested for:
- Travellers to countries or areas with a risk for hepatitis A
- The Canadian armed forces, emergency organization, or any other organization likely to be sent at short notice to high-risk areas for hepatitis A
- Zoo workers, veterinarians, and researchers
- People diagnosed with liver disease
- Hemophiliacs
Hepatitis B vaccination is prescribed for those who:
- Travellers to countries or areas with a risk for hepatitis B
- Nurses, including medical students
- People in contact with someone with hepatitis B
- People who use medication through injections
- Hemophiliacs
- Immigrants and students coming to Canada
Who Should Be Immunised Against Hepatitis A
Travellers to countries outside Western Europe, North America and Australasia should consider being immunised. The highest-risk areas include the Indian subcontinent , Africa, parts of the Far East , South and Central America and the Middle East. Vaccination is generally recommended for anyone over the age of 1 year. Your doctor or practice nurse can advise if you should be immunised against hepatitis A for your travel destination.
You can find out if immunisation against hepatitis A is recommended for any countries you are planning to visit from the NHS website Fitfortravel.
Close contacts of someone with hepatitis A. Occasional outbreaks of hepatitis A occur in the UK within families or in institutions. Close contacts of someone found to have hepatitis A infection may be offered vaccination. This only happens rarely. The most important measure for anybody with hepatitis A is good personal hygiene. In particular, washing hands after going to the toilet or before eating.
People with chronic liver disease. If you have a persistent liver disease it is suggested that you have the hepatitis A vaccine. Hepatitis A infection is not more common in those with chronic liver disease but, if infection does occur, it can cause a more serious illness.
People exposed to hepatitis A at work. For example, laboratory workers who are exposed to hepatitis A during their work and sewage workers are advised to be immunised against hepatitis A.
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Managing Injection Site Discomfort
Many vaccine injections may result in soreness, redness, itching, swelling or burning at the injection site for one to 2 days. Paracetamol might be required to ease the discomfort. Sometimes a small, hard lump at the injection site may persist for some weeks or months. This should not be of concern and requires no treatment.
Hepatitis A And Hepatitis B Vaccination
Hepatitis B vaccine is an inactivated virus vaccine derived from HB surface antigen. There is limited information about the use of hepatitis B vaccine during pregnancy. About 300 pregnancies with vaccinations at various times have been studied, and there is no increased risk of adverse outcomes demonstrated . Almost 90% of the mothers who demonstrated seroconversion after vaccination during pregnancy, developed protective antibodies that could be demonstrated in the umbilical blood . Passive transfer of the antibodies occurred in most of the newborns, but they disappeared rapidly in the infants . There are no reports that demonstrate adverse effects of hepatitis B vaccine during the course of pregnancy however, the data are limited.
Hepatitis A vaccines use an inactivated form of hepatitis A virus. Systematic studies of the use of hepatitis A vaccine in pregnancy are not available. A small case series reports 29 pregnant women who were vaccinated with hepatitis A vaccine. While no adverse effects were apparent, methodical flaws limit the validity of the study . In an abstract, 23 pregnancies exposed to hepatitis A vaccine did not indicate an increased risk in adverse outcomes . So far, there have been no adverse effects with the use of hepatitis A vaccine in pregnancy however, data are limited.
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How Do People Get Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of people with HAV infection. It enters the body through the mouth after someone handles something contaminated with HAV, or eats or drinks something contaminated with HAV.
People usually get hepatitis A by having close contact with a person who is infected, from food or drinks prepared by someone who is infected, or by eating shellfish harvested from sewage-contaminated water. After the virus enters the body, there is an incubation period lasting 2 to 7 weeks until illness begins.
Why Is Hepa Recommended
The HepA vaccine not only protects the kids who get it. It also can help prevent outbreaks. An outbreak is when a disease happens in greater numbers than expected in a particular area.
Childcare centers are a common site of hepatitis A outbreaks. Some kids can be infected and not have symptoms. But they can still spread the virus to others. Having many young kids vaccinated against hepatitis A can stop it from spreading in a community.
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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.
Is The Hep A Vaccine Safe For Everyone
The Havrix and Vaqta vaccines are considered safe for people over the age of one. The Twinrix is approved for anyone over age 18.
The vaccine doesnt contain a live virus, so its safe if you have a compromised immune system. You can also get the vaccine during pregnancy.
It may not be safe if youve had a serious allergic reaction to a previous hepatitis A vaccine.
If youre feeling sick, ask your doctor if you should wait until you recover to get vaccinated. Talk to your doctor about your medical history and whether the hepatitis A vaccine is right for you.
If you ever had hepatitis A, youve got lifelong protection against the virus. You dont need a vaccine.
Think about getting the vaccine if youre at increased risk of contracting the hepatitis virus.
You may be at-risk if you:
- travel to countries where hepatitis A is common
- travel to areas that have poor sanitation or a lack of safe drinking water
- are a laboratory worker who may come in contact with the virus
- may have direct contact with someone who has hepatitis A
- are a man who has sex with men
- use drugs
100 percent of people who get vaccinated develop protective antibodies within a month of a single dose.
If you miss your chance, you can still get vaccinated within two weeks of having been exposed to the virus.
Children between 6 months and 1 year can get the vaccine if theyre at high risk of hepatitis A. Because the immune response may not be adequate at that age, the child can get the vaccine again after age one.
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Where Can I Get The Hepatitis A Vaccine
Thinking of getting a Hepatitis A vaccination? to schedule an appointment.
Weve been offering many immunizations recommended by the CDC for certain health concerns and before travel abroad for many years. We accept most major insurance providers so that your immunizations can be convenient and affordable.
How Is Hepatitis A Transmitted
Hepatitis A is normally spread by a person unknowingly consuming the virus from various objects, food or drinks that have been previously contaminated by small amounts of stool from an infected person. It can also spread by personal contact with an infected person through activities such as sex or caring for an ill person.
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