Hepatitis A vaccine

The Hepatitis A vaccine [4] Do I Need the Hepatitis A and B Vaccines? https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/need-hepatitis-vaccines should be considered by ALL travelers except those going to the following places:

• Canada
• Western Europe or Scandinavia
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Australia

It is also recommended for family members of hepatitis A patients and homosexual men.

A hepatitis A vaccination is not required for travelers, but the CDC highly recommends it for most destinations.

A hepatitis A vaccination should not be given if any of the following applies:

• Severe allergy to it in the past
• Less than 1 year old
• Current illness

Ideally, you should be immunized more than two weeks before traveling to a high-risk area. However, the Hepatitis A vaccine will provide some protection even if it is given less than two weeks before your departure.

Yes! You’ll get some protection and you’ll continue to develop immunity to Hepatitis A during your trip.

No! The extra (unnecessary) shot of the hepatitis A vaccine will not harm you.

Please check the date of your last vaccination. You will need a booster shot of Hepatitis A vaccine if either of the following apply:

• You got a single shot of Hepatitis A vaccine more than 10 years ago.
• You got two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine 6–12 months apart more than 25 years ago.

Unfortunately, the United States has no nationwide system that maintains vaccine administration records. You can try to find your records by following the suggestions below.

Yes! Pregnant women at risk should get a hepatitis A vaccination. It is safe for the unborn baby and may prevent pregnancy complications caused by the hepatitis A virus.

Anytime. There are no known risks associated with getting pregnant after a hepatitis A shot. The hepatitis A vaccine is safe for women and their unborn babies.

Hepatitis A vaccine [3] Hepatitis A https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/disease-prevention-advice/hepatitis-a is safe and effective. But as with any vaccine, some adverse effects are possible:

It is important to recognize hepatitis A vaccine–associated side effects and know what action to take. See the table below.

Though the best way to prevent hepatitis A is vaccination, you may try to protect yourself by doing the following:

• Wash your hands with soap often
• Drink safe, adequately chlorinated water
• Eat at reputable places
• Boil or cook what you drink or eat for at least one minute at 185 °F

Please note that alcohol-based sanitizing products do not protect against hepatitis A.

The risk of contracting hepatitis A significantly increases if you do any of the following:

• Reside with locals
• Eat local street food
• Share drugs with someone who has hepatitis A
• Have anal or oral sex with someone who has hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is more common in poor areas of the world, especially in rural and suburban areas. Check the country of interest for more detailed recommendations.

Travelers may be infected with hepatitis A year-round. However, in many countries the risk of hepatitis A acquisition is higher during March and September. Check the country of interest for more detailed recommendations.