Hepatitis A vaccine
Hepatitis A Vaccine[edit]

The Hepatitis A vaccine is a vaccine that prevents hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The vaccine is effective in preventing the disease and is recommended for all children, travelers to certain countries, and others at risk.
History[edit]
The development of the hepatitis A vaccine began in the 1970s, with the first vaccines being licensed in the 1990s. The vaccine has significantly reduced the incidence of hepatitis A in countries where it is routinely administered.
Types of Vaccines[edit]
There are two main types of hepatitis A vaccines:
- Inactivated (killed) vaccines: These vaccines contain inactivated hepatitis A virus. Examples include Havrix and Vaqta.
- Live attenuated vaccines: These vaccines contain a live but weakened form of the virus. They are less commonly used.
Administration[edit]
The hepatitis A vaccine is typically administered as an injection into the muscle. It is given in two doses, with the second dose administered 6 to 12 months after the first. This schedule provides long-term protection against the virus.
Effectiveness[edit]
The vaccine is highly effective, with more than 95% of individuals developing protective antibodies after the first dose. The second dose ensures long-term protection, potentially lasting a lifetime.
Side Effects[edit]
Common side effects of the hepatitis A vaccine include soreness at the injection site, headache, and fatigue. Serious side effects are rare.
Recommendations[edit]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the hepatitis A vaccine for:
- All children at age 1 year
- Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common
- Men who have sex with men
- Users of recreational drugs
- People with chronic liver disease
- People with clotting-factor disorders
- People who work with hepatitis A virus in research settings
Related Pages[edit]
Ad. Transform your health with W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa

Tired of being overweight?
Get started with evidence based, physician-supervised
affordable GLP-1 weight loss injections
Now available in New York City and Philadelphia:
- Semaglutide starting from $59.99/week and up
- Tirzepatide starting from $69.99/week and up (dose dependent)
✔ Evidence-based medical weight loss ✔ Insurance-friendly visits available ✔ Same-week appointments, evenings & weekends
Learn more:
Start your transformation today with W8MD weight loss centers.
|
WikiMD Medical Encyclopedia |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian