Hepatitis due to infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV) is one of the most common viral infections in children and adolescents in the United States. HAV infection often causes few or no symptoms in younger children. By contrast, infection in adults can vary in severity from a mild flu-like illness to rapidly progressive, severe liver disease. Vaccinating children can help to protect adult caregivers from a potentially serious illness.
HAV is found in the stool of infected individuals. A person can become infected with HAV by consuming contaminated food or water or by touching the mouth, nose, or eyes after touching a contaminated surface (eg, in the bathroom or during a diaper change). Washing the hands can help to prevent infection.
Timing and dose — Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all children between 12 and 23 months of age. Older children and adults also can consider being immunized. In all age groups, two doses are required, given at least six months apart.
The vaccine is also recommended for certain high-risk adults, such as food handlers, international travelers, people with blood clotting disorders or chronic liver disease and those who live in communities with a high hepatitis A infection rate.
Hepatitis A vaccine precautions — HAV vaccine should not be given if the child had a severe reaction to the vaccine after the first dose. The vaccine contains alum and phenoxyethanol, and should not be given to children with a known sensitivity to these additives. The most common side effect of the HAV vaccine is brief redness or discomfort at the injection site.
Hepatitis A vaccine effectiveness — The HAV vaccine protects nearly 100 percent of children who receive the recommended two doses.
HAV is found in the stool of infected individuals. A person can become infected with HAV by consuming contaminated food or water or by touching the mouth, nose, or eyes after touching a contaminated surface (eg, in the bathroom or during a diaper change). Washing the hands can help to prevent infection.
Timing and dose — Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all children between 12 and 23 months of age. Older children and adults also can consider being immunized. In all age groups, two doses are required, given at least six months apart.
The vaccine is also recommended for certain high-risk adults, such as food handlers, international travelers, people with blood clotting disorders or chronic liver disease and those who live in communities with a high hepatitis A infection rate.
Hepatitis A vaccine precautions — HAV vaccine should not be given if the child had a severe reaction to the vaccine after the first dose. The vaccine contains alum and phenoxyethanol, and should not be given to children with a known sensitivity to these additives. The most common side effect of the HAV vaccine is brief redness or discomfort at the injection site.
Hepatitis A vaccine effectiveness — The HAV vaccine protects nearly 100 percent of children who receive the recommended two doses.
