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What is Hepatitis A Vaccine?
Hepatitis A vaccine is a vaccine that prevents hepatitis A virus infection. Hepatitis A is an infectious disease that affects the liver, caused by the hepatitis A virus. Symptoms of hepatitis A begin 3 to 6 weeks after coming into contact with the virus. These consist of nausea (feeling sick), fever and aches and pains. After a few days the whites of eyes and skin may become yellowish (jaundice). The severity and type of symptoms can vary. Hep A vaccine is injected intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle.Hepatitis A Immunization Schedule
Single dose for live vaccine and 2 doses for killed vaccine.- 12months- Dose 1(for killed vaccine) or only dose for live vaccine
- 18months- Dose 2(only for killed vaccine)
Effectiveness
Hep A vaccine is effective in around 95% of cases and lasts for at least fifteen years and possibly a person’s entire life.Side Effects
Mild Problems- soreness where the shot was given (about 1 out of 2 adults, and up to 1 out of 6 children)
- headache (about 1 out of 6 adults and 1 out of 25 children)
- loss of appetite (about 1 out of 12 children)
- tiredness (about 1 out of 14 adults)
- serious allergic reaction, within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot (very rare).