What Is the Hepatitis A Vaccine?
A vaccine is a drug that you take when you are healthy that keeps you from getting sick. Vaccines teach your body to attack certain viruses, like the
hepatitis A virus.
The
hepatitis A vaccine is given through a shot. It is approved for use in children (age 1 year and older), teens, and adults.
For
Havrix®, the second dose is given 6 to 12 months after the first dose. For Vaqta
®, the second dose is given 6 to 18 months after the first.
Who Should Get the Vaccine?
The following people should get the hepatitis A vaccine as a routine vaccination:
- Almost all children between 12 and 24 months of age
- Children living in areas with high incidence rates of hepatitis A (above the national average) -- check with your health department to see if this applies to your area
- Travelers to developing countries with high rates of hepatitis A, including Mexico
- Men who have sex with men
- Users of illegal drugs
- People who work with hepatitis A virus in research settings
- People who work with infected non-human primates
- Recipients of clotting factor concentrates
- People with chronic liver disease (because of the risk of fulminant hepatitis A).
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