Hepatitis A vaccine facts for kids
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Hepatitis A vaccine
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| Vaccine description | |
| Target disease | Hepatitis A virus |
| Type | ? |
Quick facts for kids Identifiers |
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| CAS number | ? |
| ATC code | J07BC02 |
| PubChem | ? |
| DrugBank | DB10989 |
| ChemSpider | none |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
B2(AU) |
| Legal status | |
| Routes | Intramuscular |
The Hepatitis A vaccine is a special shot that helps protect you from hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus. This vaccine is very good at preventing the illness, working for about 95 out of every 100 people who get it. Once you get the vaccine, its protection can last for at least 20 years, and possibly for your whole life!
Doctors usually recommend getting two doses of the vaccine. The first dose can be given after you turn one year old. The vaccine is given as a shot into a muscle, usually in your arm. The first Hepatitis A vaccine was approved in Europe in 1991 and in the United States in 1995. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, which means it's considered a very important medicine for health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that everyone should get the vaccine in places where Hepatitis A is somewhat common. However, in areas where the disease is very common, many people naturally become immune to it as children. This happens when they get the infection and their body learns to fight it off.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the Hepatitis A vaccine for several groups of people. This includes all children aged 12 to 23 months. It's also recommended for older children and teens (2-18 years old) who haven't been vaccinated yet. People who travel to other countries, especially where Hepatitis A is common, should also get the vaccine. Other groups include people with certain health conditions like HIV or chronic liver disease, and anyone who wants to be protected from the virus. If you haven't had the vaccine and have been near someone with Hepatitis A, you should get the vaccine within two weeks.
Serious side effects from the vaccine are very rare. Some people might feel a little pain where they got the shot. This happens to about 15% of children and half of adults. Most Hepatitis A vaccines use a "killed" (inactivated) virus, which means it can't make you sick. A few vaccines use a "weakened" virus. These weakened virus vaccines are not usually recommended for pregnant people or those with a weak immune system. Sometimes, the Hepatitis A vaccine is combined with vaccines for other diseases, like hepatitis B or typhoid.
After getting the Hepatitis A vaccine, you might notice some soreness or redness where the shot was given. You might also feel a bit tired, have a headache, or a slight fever. Losing your appetite for a short time can also happen. Just like with any medicine, there's a very tiny chance of a serious allergic reaction or other serious problems, but this is extremely rare.
Contents
Why Get the Hepatitis A Vaccine?
The Hepatitis A vaccine helps protect your liver from a serious virus. In the US, a vaccine called "Vaqta" was approved in 1995. It was slowly introduced, first for children in areas where the risk of Hepatitis A was high. By 1999, it was used more widely. Since 2007, the vaccine has been strongly recommended for all children aged 12 to 23 months in the US. This is to try and get rid of the virus across the country. Another vaccine called Havrix was approved in Europe in 1991 and in the US in 1995.
Who Needs the Hepatitis A Vaccine?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that many people get the Hepatitis A vaccine. This includes all children over one year old. People with long-term liver problems should also get it. If you work closely with the Hepatitis A virus, or if there's an outbreak of the virus where you live, you should also be vaccinated.
Hepatitis A is one of the most common illnesses that travelers can get and prevent with a vaccine. So, if you're traveling to places where the virus is common, like parts of India, Africa, Central America, South America, Asia, and Eastern Europe, you should get vaccinated before you go.
How the Vaccine Works
The Hepatitis A vaccine is given as a shot in the muscle of your upper arm. For the best protection, you usually need two doses. After your first shot, you'll get a booster shot about six to twelve months later. Your body starts to be protected from Hepatitis A about two to four weeks after the first shot. This protection can last for at least 15 years, and doctors believe it can last for at least 25 years if you get the booster shot.
Scientists have studied both types of Hepatitis A vaccines (inactivated and weakened). They found that both types offer good protection. The inactivated vaccine protects for at least two years, and the weakened vaccine protects for at least five years. The inactivated vaccine is considered safe. More research is being done to fully understand the safety of the weakened vaccine.
Types of Hepatitis A Vaccines
There are several different Hepatitis A vaccines available from various companies. They all work to protect you from the virus. Here are some examples:
- Avaxim: Made by Sanofi Pasteur. This vaccine uses an inactivated (killed) Hepatitis A virus.
- Epaxal: Made by Crucell. This vaccine uses tiny artificial particles to deliver the Hepatitis A protection.
- Havrix: Made by GlaxoSmithKline. This vaccine also uses an inactivated Hepatitis A virus. There are different doses for adults and children.
- Healive: Made by Sinovac. This vaccine uses an inactivated Hepatitis A virus that has been grown and purified.
- Vaqta: Made by Merck. This vaccine uses an inactivated Hepatitis A virus. It also has different doses for adults and children.
- Biovac-A: Made by Pukang. This vaccine is a "live attenuated" vaccine, meaning it uses a weakened form of the Hepatitis A virus. It is freeze-dried and only needs a single dose. The WHO recommends this vaccine. Studies suggest its protection can last for at least 15 years.
Vaccines That Combine Protection
Some vaccines offer protection against Hepatitis A and other diseases at the same time:
- Hepatitis A and B vaccine: This vaccine protects you from both Hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine: This vaccine protects you from both Hepatitis A and typhoid.
