Hepatitis A Vaccine
The hepatitis A vaccine (HAV) is recommended for:
- All children aged 1 year (12-23 months).
- Persons aged 1 year and older traveling to or working in countries
with high or intermediate prevalence of hepatitis A, such as those located
in Central or South America, Mexico, Asia (except Japan), Africa, and
Eastern Europe. For more information see
CDC's
Travelers' Health Website.
- Children and adolescents through age 18 years who live in states or
communities where routine vaccination has been implemented because of high
disease incidence.
- Men who have sex with men.
- Persons who use street drugs.
- Persons with chronic liver disease.
- Persons who are treated with clotting factor concentrates.
- Persons who work with HAV-infected primates or who work with HAV in
research laboratories.
- Children or adolescents in communities where outbreaks of hepatitis A
are occurring.
- Prevention of hepatitis A virus infection after exposure and before
international travel.
Hepatitis A vaccine is not licensed for children younger than age 1 year.
For children:
- The first dose should be given at age 12-23 months.
- Children who are not vaccinated by 2 years of age can be vaccinated at
later visits.
For travelers:
- The vaccine series should be started at least 4 weeks before
traveling to provide the best protection.
- Immunoglobulin (Ig) is recommended for travelers <12 months.
- Immunoglobulin (Ig) should be given in addition to the hepatitis A
vaccine if a person is vaccinated less than 4 weeks prior to
international travel departure for full protection.
Other:
- The hepatitis A vaccine series may be started whenever a person is
at risk of infection.
Two doses of the vaccine are needed for lasting protection. These doses
should be given at least 6 months apart. Hepatitis A vaccine may be given at the
same time as other vaccines.
Washington State is currently supplying:
- GlaxoSmithKline hepatitis A vaccine, Havrix. The vaccine has typical
availability.
Guidelines
for the Use of State Supplied Vaccines (PDF 117kb) (04/04/08)
Vaccine Management - Recommendation for Storage and Handling of
Vaccines
Vaccine Information Statements:
Related Information:
External Resources:
Last Update:
06/26/2008 11:32 AM
