Hepatitis A Vaccine
Vaccine brands
Avaxim®, Avaxim® Pediatric, Havrix® 1440, Havrix® 720 Junior, VAQTA® and VAQTA® Pediatric/Adolescent, Twinrix®, TwinrixJunior®, ViVAXIM®
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. People who become sick with hepatitis A usually have fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and generally feel unwell. A few days later, their skin, and the whites of their eyes become a yellow colour - a condition called jaundice. Occasionally, people will have no symptoms at all. Symptoms are usually mild, and the illness usually lasts one to two weeks, although severe cases can last several months. The severity of the illness increases with age; it is also increased in those with pre-existing chronic liver disease. Once you have had hepatitis A infection you cannot get it again.
Hepatitis A infection is spread when a person eats food or drinks water that has been contaminated by the feces of people infected with hepatitis A virus. This contamination happens more often in countries where hepatitis A occurs more frequently. It can also spread when a person eats improperly cooked shellfish. People with hepatitis A can spread the virus to others if they do not wash their hands after having a bowel movement, after changing the diapers of an infected person, and then preparing food for others.
Any person over the age of one who wishes to decrease his or her risk of getting hepatitis A may get the hepatitis A vaccine.
Recommendations for use
The hepatitis A vaccine is a series of two doses at 0 and 6 to 12 months. Under the high risk hepatitis A immunization program, the hepatitis A vaccine is publicly funded for individuals greater than 1 year of age who meet the following high risk eligibility criteria:
- intravenous drug use,
- liver disease (chronic), including hepatitis B and C, and
- men who have sex with men.
The vaccine is recommended, but not publicly funded for:
- travellers to hepatitis A endemic areas,
- household or close contacts of persons with acute hepatitis A infection,
- household or close contacts of children adopted from endemic areas,
- military personnel and humanitarian relief workers likely to be posted to endemic areas, or
- zoo-keepers, veterinarians, and researchers who handle non-human primates.
Speak with your health care provider.
A combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine is available for those susceptible to both diseases. A combination hepatitis A and typhoid (injectable) vaccine is also available for both susceptible to both diseases. These vaccines are not publicly funded.
When a person one year of age or older has been in contact with the hepatitis A virus, infection may be prevented by giving a dose of hepatitis A vaccine as soon as possible after exposure. This dose will be publicly funded. A second dose is recommended and should be given 6 to 12 months later to ensure long-term protection against hepatitis A virus but is not publicly funded. In those individuals (infants under one year of age) who cannot receive the vaccine, immuno-globulin may be considered for periods up to 14 days after exposure.
Vaccine side effects
Hepatitis A vaccine is generally well tolerated. Common side effects include pain and redness where the needle was given and usually resolve in a few days. Less common side effects may include headache, irritability, malaise, mild fever, fatigue, weakness, muscle or joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe allergic reactions are rare. Signs of severe allergy include hives, swelling of the mouth and throat, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hypotension, and shock.
You should report any side effects or severe vaccine reactions to your health care provider.
Individuals who should not get the vaccine
- those who have had hepatitis A infection before,
- those who have completed a hepatitis A containing vaccine series,
- individuals who have had an allergic reaction to any component found in the vaccine or had a severe allergy to a previous dose of a vaccine containing hepatitis A,
- those with moderate or severe acute illness with or without fever, and
- those less than 12 months of age.
This vaccine is safe for people with medical conditions that impair the body's immune system.
Your record of protection
After you receive an immunization, make sure your healthcare provider updates your personal immunization record such as the "Yellow Card". Keep it in a safe place. If your child is 17 years of age or under and receives this vaccine please report this information to KFL&A Public Health online or by calling 613-549-1232. Health care providers do not automatically send immunization information to KFL&A Public Health. It is the responsibility of parents or guardians to provide this information.
KFL&A Public Health's Online Immunization Reporting