Medical Health Encyclopedia

Hepatitis A - vaccine

This vaccine is mandated (required) in children in Alaska, Arizona, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. In addition, the ACIP recommends vaccination in children in California, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. These recommendations are based on the number of cases of Hepatitis in these states.

Other people who are at higher risk for hepatitis A include:

• Illegal intravenous drug users.
• People who work with the hepatitis A virus in a laboratory or with primates that may be infected with the virus.
• People who have chronic liver disease.
• People who receive clotting factor concentrate to treat hemophilia or other clotting disorders.
• Military personnel.
• Homosexual or bisexual men.
• Employees of child day-care centers.
• People who care for institutionalized patients.

WHO SHOULD NOT BE IMMUNIZED

• People who have had hepatitis A in the past. Once you have recovered from the disease, you are immune for life.
• People who are allergic to the components of the vaccine.
• Children less than 2 years old.
• Pregnant or nursing mothers.
• If you are sick or have a fever, you should delay receiving the vaccine until you are feeling better.

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RISKS

The possible complications are mild and rarely last longer than a day. The most common side effect of the vaccine is pain at the injection site. Other rare, but possible, side effects include:

• Redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site
• Headache
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite

CALL YOUR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF:

• You develop rash, itching, hives, or difficulty breathing after the injection.
• You develop any other symptoms after hepatitis A immunization.
• You have other questions or concerns about hepatitis A immunization.

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