Hepatitis A Vaccination

Vaccination schedule

Hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective. It can be given to persons ages 1 year or older. The vaccination confers protection against hepatitis A within two to four weeks. It shall be administrated at least 2 weeks before departure to endemic areas of hepatitis A. The second dose should be given between 6 and 18 months after the first dose depending on vaccine type.

Recommendation

According to the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Centre for Health Protection, the following groups are recommended to have hepatitis A vaccination:

• Travellers to endemic areas of hepatitis A
• Persons with clotting factors disorders receiving plasma-derived replacement clotting factors
• Persons with chronic liver diseases
• Men who have sex with men

Adverse reactions

Injection site reactions, including pain, redness, swelling and warmth, are the most common side effects. No serious adverse reactions have been reported so far.

Contraindications

Hepatitis A vaccination should not be administered to persons with a history of a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component or following a prior dose of the vaccine.