Logan Reed
Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by a virus. The infection is usually mild, but it can lead to serious liver problems and even death in rare cases. The Hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective in preventing the disease and has made it much less common in the United States. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination for children between 12 and 23 months, with catch-up vaccinations for those up to 18 years old. Adults who are unvaccinated and at increased risk of infection or severe disease should also receive the vaccine. The vaccine is typically administered in two doses, with the second dose given at least six months after the first.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who should get the Hep A vaccine? | Children between 12 and 23 months old, children up to 18 years old who haven't previously received the vaccine, adults who are at increased risk of infection or severe disease from infection, adults who are unvaccinated and want to be protected, infants 6-11 months old travelling outside the US, adults travelling to areas with high or intermediate HAV endemicity, people who live or work in rural and remote communities, and people who are 40 years or older, immunocompromised, or have chronic liver disease and are travelling within two weeks. |
| How many doses are needed? | Two doses, with the second dose administered at least six months after the first. |
| How common is Hepatitis A in the US? | There are about 1,000-17,500 cases in the US each year, and about 75 people die from it. |
| What are the side effects of the vaccine? | Soreness or redness at the injection site, fever, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, and rash. Serious side effects are very rare. |
| What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A? | Fever, jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, tiredness, nausea, and vomiting. |
| How does Hepatitis A spread? | It spreads when someone eats or drinks something contaminated with the poop of an infected person, or through sexual contact. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Hepatitis A vaccine dosage and schedule
Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by a virus. The threat of hepatitis A is particularly high in developing countries, but it is also a problem in the United States, with around 1,000-17,500 cases reported annually. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get vaccinated.
The hepatitis A vaccine is typically administered as a series of two shots. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination for children aged 12-23 months and catch-up vaccination for children aged 2-18 years who have not previously received the vaccine. Children receiving the first shot should be at least 1 year old. The second shot should be administered at least six months after the first for long-term protection.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has licensed two single-antigen hepatitis A vaccines (Havrix and Vaqta) for use in the US. People aged 12 months to 18 years should receive two doses of the vaccine, while those aged 19 and older should receive two doses of the adult formulation. The hepatitis A vaccine can be administered concurrently with other vaccines to children and adults.
Hepatitis A is highly contagious and can spread through contaminated food and water. It can also spread from person to person through sexual contact. Therefore, it is recommended that anyone travelling to areas with high or intermediate hepatitis A endemicity should consider getting the hepatitis A vaccine beforehand. Vaccination is generally recommended at least two weeks before travel, and in some cases, even earlier.
Child Vaccination: Law and Parental Choice
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hepatitis A vaccine side effects
Hepatitis A vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing hepatitis A infections. However, as with any medicine, there is a very small chance of side effects and adverse reactions. The most commonly reported side effects of the hepatitis A vaccine include:
- Soreness, redness, or tenderness at or around the injection site
- Fever
- Headache
- Loss of appetite (particularly in children)
- Fatigue
- Rash
These side effects are usually mild and last for about 1-2 days.
It is important to note that there is a very remote chance of a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine, which may occur within a few minutes or hours after receiving the shot. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is an early warning system co-managed by the CDC and FDA that monitors potential vaccine safety problems. Healthcare providers and vaccine manufacturers are required by law to report certain adverse events following vaccination to VAERS, and patients and caregivers can also submit reports.
The hepatitis A vaccine is generally recommended for children and adults who live in or travel to areas with a high rate of hepatitis A disease or who are at increased risk of infection. This includes military personnel, individuals living in close quarters with a high rate of HAV infection (such as Alaskan Eskimos and Native Americans), males who have sex with males, and persons who use illegal injection drugs.
Protecting Healthy Cells: Blocking Viral Entry and Attack
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hepatitis A vaccine for children
The hepatitis A vaccine, also called HepA, is an effective way to protect against hepatitis A, a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A infections can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, joint pain, and yellowing of the skin for weeks to months. The hepatitis A vaccine is safe and causes few side effects. It is recommended for children 12-23 months old, who will get a second dose at least 6 months later. Babies as young as 6 months old can also get the vaccine if they will travel to a place where hepatitis A infections are common. They will still need the routine vaccination after their first birthday.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination for children ages 12-23 months and catch-up vaccination for children ages 2-18 years who have not previously received the hepatitis A vaccine. The hepatitis A vaccine is also recommended for all older kids and adults who haven't already gotten vaccinated, especially if they have a higher risk of being infected or getting very sick with hepatitis A infection.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has licensed two single-antigen hepatitis A vaccines (Havrix and Vaqta) and one combination vaccine for protection against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B (Twinrix) for use in the US. People 12 months-18 years should receive two doses of the HAV vaccine, while people 19 and older should receive two doses of the Havrix or Vaqta vaccine. Twinrix is licensed for adults 18 and older.
Hepatitis A vaccines are highly effective in preventing HAV infection, and the immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HAV produced after vaccination confers long-term immunity. Scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the safety of hepatitis A vaccines. However, as with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death. The most frequently reported adverse events associated with hepatitis A vaccination are fever, injection site reactions, and rash. Clinicians can administer the hepatitis A vaccine concurrently with other vaccines to children and adults.
Placebo Vaccine: How to Know If You Got It
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hepatitis A vaccine for adults
Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by a virus. It can be spread when an infected person does not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom and then touches food, or from person-to-person through sexual contact. In the 1980s, it caused up to 30,000 cases a year in the United States, but the introduction of the hepatitis A vaccine has since reduced the number of cases by 95%.
Hepatitis A vaccines are highly effective in preventing infection and are safe for people with compromised immune systems. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HAV produced after vaccination provides long-term immunity, which has been shown to persist for at least 20 years in studies. Vaccines are available at doctors' offices or pharmacies and are usually covered by insurance.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has licensed two single-antigen hepatitis A vaccines (Havrix and Vaqta) and one combination hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine (Twinrix) for adults aged 18 and older. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated adults who are at increased risk of infection or severe disease. This includes international travellers, men who have sex with men, people who use or inject drugs, people with chronic liver disease, people with HIV, and pregnant women.
The hepatitis A vaccine is typically administered in two doses for adults, with each dose given 6 to 18 months apart. The combination vaccine is given as three shots over six months. For full protection, it is important to receive the full vaccine dosing. While delays can happen, it is recommended to get the second dose as soon as possible if the first dose was received more than six months ago.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois: Understanding Your Vaccine Coverage
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hepatitis A vaccine for travellers
Hepatitis A vaccines are safe and highly effective. They are recommended for all children between 12 and 23 months living in the United States, and for older children and adolescents (2–18 years of age) who were not vaccinated previously. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine hepatitis A vaccination for all children and vaccination for adults at increased risk of HAV infection or at increased risk of severe disease from HAV infection. This includes people travelling to or working in countries with high or intermediate HAV endemicity.
Considering the complexity of interpreting hepatitis A risk maps, some experts advise people travelling outside the United States to consider hepatitis A vaccination regardless of their destination. Vaccination is also recommended for unvaccinated household members and other people (e.g. regular babysitters) who anticipate close personal contact with an international adoptee from a high- or intermediate-endemicity country within 60 days of the child's arrival in the United States. The hepatitis A vaccine is typically given as a series of two shots, with the second dose administered at least six months after the first. Children receiving the first shot should be at least one year old.
The hepatitis A vaccine can cause pain, redness, tenderness, and sometimes a rash at the site of the injection. It can also cause headaches in about 5 out of every 100 recipients. In rare cases, it can cause a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or even death. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness), call 911 and get the person to the nearest hospital. Any adverse events suspected to be associated with the hepatitis A vaccination should be reported through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
If you are 40 years of age or older, are immunocompromised, or have chronic liver disease and are going to travel within two weeks of receiving the vaccine, you may also be recommended to get a dose of "immunoglobulin". Immunoglobulin contains antibodies directed against the hepatitis A virus. While it does not provide long-lived protection, the antibodies will help protect you during your trip.
Conjugated Vaccines: The Power of Linking
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Hepatitis A vaccine is typically administered as a series of two shots, with the second shot being given at least six months after the first. Children receiving the first shot should be at least 1 year old.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination for children ages 12–23 months and catch-up vaccination for children ages 2–18 years who have not previously received the vaccine. Unvaccinated adults who are at increased risk of infection or severe disease from infection should also be vaccinated. Additionally, people travelling to areas with high or intermediate Hepatitis A endemicity should consider getting the vaccine before their trip.
Side effects from the Hepatitis A vaccine are usually mild and may include soreness or redness at the injection site, fever, headache, tiredness, or loss of appetite. Serious side effects are very rare, but a severe allergic reaction could occur in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine, including neomycin or yeast.
