Hepatitis A Vaccine
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral liver infection. It is passed from an infected person to another person through close contact or by eating contaminated food or drinks. Hepatitis A symptoms can last for up to 2 months and include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, joint pain, intense itching, and jaundice. Some people, including children, have no symptoms but can spread the disease to others.
What are the risks from Hepatitis A?
While Hepatitis A does not usually cause long-term illness, it can be debilitating while someone is sick with it. In rare cases, Hepatitis A can cause acute liver failure requiring hospitalization. Liver failure sometimes requires a liver transplant.
How effective is the Hepatitis A vaccine?
The Hepatitis A vaccine requires two doses. When someone gets both doses on time, they are more than 95% protected against Hepatitis A.
How safe is the Hepatitis A vaccine?
The Hepatitis A vaccine is very safe. Like most vaccines, mild side effects can include redness or soreness where the vaccine is received, but no serious side effects have been reported.
There have been an estimated 34,000 cases of Hepatitis A in the U.S. since 2016. While people rarely have permanent or serious illness, it can make you very sick and exhausted for months. The vaccine is extremely effective and safe, so if your doctor recommends the vaccine, feel confident getting it!
When should my child get the Hepatitis A vaccine?
Children need 2 doses of the hepatitis A vaccine. The first dose is given between 12 – 23 months of age and the second dose at least 6 months after the first dose.
Talk to your healthcare provider about what other vaccines your family needs.
What can I expect at a Hepatitis A vaccine appointment?
A little research before a vaccine visit can go a long way to reducing your stress and concerns. Credible information helps ensure healthy choices and builds vaccine confidence.
Hepatitis A Fact Sheet
Do you have a family member due for a Hepatitis A vaccine? Download and print our Hepatitis A fact sheet to prepare for your appointment.
Where can I get more information?
These organization are vaccine experts and can provide credible information:
How do I know this information is credible?
We work for parents so we make sure that parent concerns are addressed using facts and science and our content is reviewed by experts who have spent their careers studying vaccines. Learn more about how we ensure we are bringing you the best information to help you make healthy choices for your family.
Know the risks: Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection passed from person to person through infected fecal matter, like on unwashed hands or dirty dishes.
Children often have no symptoms but can pass Hepatitis A to others.
There are a couple of things we know for certain:
1. The Hepatitis A vaccine is extremely safe. There have been NO reported serious adverse reactions.
2. We love our kids but they are dirty and not good at washing their hands.
Don’t let anyone tell you different: The vaccine is ALWAYS safer than the disease
