Hepatitis A Vaccine
Introduction
The two brands of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) vaccines vavilable from our clinics: HAVRIX® and VAQTA®. They are equivalent in safety and efficacy. They are inactivated (not live) virus vaccines. They do not cause the actual disease. The vaccine is given as an injection with a needle into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm
For Whom
It is recommended that people at risk of coming into contact with Hep A e.g. by travelling to a country where it is prevalent or who already have a serious liver disease should be vaccinated against this condition. A useful list includes the following:
- People age 12 months or older who are traveling to or working in an area of the world except the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia
- Men who have sex with men
- Users of illegal drugs, both oral and injecting
- People who have blood clotting disorders
- People who work with HAV-infected primates or with HAV in a research laboratory setting (no other groups have been shown to be at increased risk for HAV infection because of occupational exposure)
- People with chronic liver disease
- Any person who wishes to be immune to hepatitis A
The Vaccination course and benefits
Two doses are recommended. The second dose is a booster to be given between 6 months and 12 months after the first one.IIt is a highly effective vaccine and up to 94% of recepients are immune after the first dose for up to 2 months. The full two dose course is known to protect individuals for 14 to 25 years.
Note that this vaccine can even be given after you have actually been exposed to Hep A. This could reduce the severity of the illness if taken early enough.
Side Effects
There could be soreness or inflammation at the local site where the injection was given, A few days after the vaccination, there may be symptoms such as headache, loss of appetite, fever or general tiredness which last about 1 or 2 days. A very rare but serious side effect is an allergic reaction which could be immediate or happen after a few hours.
When to avoid the vaccine
Sufferers of serious allergic reaction to HAV in the past, or who are known to be allergic to any part of the vaccine, should not receive it. People with a fever or other moderate or severe illness should also avoid it until they are recovered.Please call 0845 130 4595 if you have any further questions.
The vaccine is available.
