Hepatitis A Vaccine Inactivated (Systemic)
   
Hepatitis A Vaccine Inactivated (Systemic)
US Brand Names
• Havrix
• Vaqta
Canadian Brand Names
• Havrix
• Vaqta
Description
Hepatitis (hep-ah-TY-tiss) A is a serious disease of the liver that can cause death. It is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), and is spread most often through infected food or water. Hepatitis A may also be spread by close person-to-person contact with infected persons (such as between persons living in the same household). Although some infected persons do not appear to be sick, they are still able to spread the virus to others.
Hepatitis A is less common in the U.S. and other areas of the world that have a higher level of sanitation and good water and sewage (waste) systems. However, it is a significant health problem in parts of the world that do not have such systems. If you are traveling to certain countries or remote (out-of-the-way) areas, hepatitis A vaccine will help protect you from hepatitis A disease.
It is recommended that persons 2 years of age and older be vaccinated with hepatitis A vaccine when traveling to the following parts of the world:
• Africa.
• Asia (except Japan).
• parts of the Caribbean.
• Central and South America.
• eastern Europe.
• the Mediterranean basin.
• the Middle East.
• Mexico.
Hepatitis A vaccine is also recommended for all persons 2 years of age and older who live in areas that have frequent outbreaks of hepatitis A disease or who may be at increased risk of infection from hepatitis A virus. These persons include:
• Military personnel.
• Persons living in or moving to areas that have a high rate of HAV infection.
• Persons who may be exposed to the hepatitis A virus repeatedly due to a high rate of hepatitis A disease, such as Alaskan Eskimos and Native Americans.
• Persons engaging in high-risk sexual activity, such as homosexual and bisexual males.
• Persons who use illegal injectable drugs.
• Persons living in a community experiencing an outbreak of hepatitis A.
• Persons working in facilities for the mentally retarded.
• Employees of child day-care centers.
• Persons who work with hepatitis A virus in the laboratory.
• Persons who handle primate animals.
• Persons with hemophilia.
• Food handlers.
• Persons with chronic liver disease.
Hepatitis A vaccine is to be used only by or under the supervision of a doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:
Before Receiving This Vaccine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For hepatitis A vaccine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to hepatitis A vaccine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.
Pregnancy
Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals. However, since the vaccine does not contain contagious particles, it is not expected to cause problems during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
This vaccine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children
Hepatitis A vaccine is not recommended for infants and children younger than 2 years of age. For children 2 years of age and older, this vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.
Older adults
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of hepatitis A vaccine in the elderly with use in other age groups, this vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of hepatitis A vaccine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.
Proper Use of This Vaccine
Dosing
The dose of hepatitis A vaccine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders . The following information includes only the average doses of hepatitis A vaccine.
• For injection dosage form:
o For prevention of hepatitis A disease:
§ Adults-One adult dose injected into a muscle. A booster (repeat) dose may be needed six to twelve months after the first dose.
§ Children 2 to 18 years of age-One or two pediatric doses injected into a muscle. A booster (repeat) dose may be needed six to twelve months after the first dose.
§ Children up to 2 years of age-Use is not recommended.
Side Effects of This Vaccine
Along with its needed effects, a vaccine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. It is very important that you tell your doctor about any side effects that occur after a dose of hepatitis A vaccine , even though the side effect may have gone away without treatment. Some types of side effects may mean that you should not receive any more doses of hepatitis A vaccine.
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Difficulty in breathing or swallowing; hives; itching, especially of feet or hands; reddening of skin, especially around ears; swelling of eyes, face, or inside of nose; unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe).
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Soreness at place of injection.
Less common
Fever of 37.7 °C (100 °F) or higher; general feeling of discomfort or illness; headache; lack of appetite; nausea; tenderness or warmth at injection site.
Rare
Aches or pain in joints or muscles; diarrhea or stomach cramps or pain; itching; swelling of glands in armpits or neck; vomiting; welts.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
July 31, 1998 
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