Hepatitis A vaccine

Hepatitis A vaccine is a vaccine that prevents hepatitis A. It is effective in around 95% of cases and lasts for at least fifteen years and possibly a person's entire life. If given, two doses are recommended beginning after the age of one. It is given by injection into a muscle.

Effectiveness

The Hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective. It produces protective levels of antibodies against hepatitis A in over 95% of people who complete the two-dose vaccination schedule. The level of protection achieved by vaccination is similar to that provided by having had a natural infection.

Usage

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends routine vaccination in areas where the disease is common and in those who are at high risk. This includes those who have not previously been vaccinated and who have chronic liver disease, clotting-factor disorders, men who have sex with men, and those who use street drugs.

Side Effects

Common side effects include soreness at the injection site, headache, and feeling tired, while severe allergic reactions are very rare.

History

The first inactivated hepatitis A vaccine was approved in the United States in 1995. A live attenuated vaccine is also available in China. The Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) – led by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, UNICEF, and others – has the goal of reaching 90% of children with the two-dose hepatitis A vaccine by 2020.

See Also

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Hepatitis C vaccine

References

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