Hepatitis A

Vaccination and Prophylaxis

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for:

• Children living in areas where rates of hepatitis are twice the national average
• Persons traveling to or working in countries that have high rates of infection
• Men who have sex with men
• Users of street drugs
• Persons with clotting factor disorders
• Persons with chronic liver disease, chronic hepatitis B, or chronic hepatitis C
• Person with compromised immune systems (e.g. HIV/AIDS)

There are two types of products available for prophylaxis and prevention of hepatitis A infection:

• Hepatitis A vaccine provides active immunity against the hepatitis A virus through a series of two injections, with the second given at 6-12 months after the first. The vaccine can provide protection as soon as four weeks after the first injection. The second injection can provide immunity for possibly 20 years, but probably not life long.
• Immune Globulin (IG) provides protection against hepatitis A through passive transfer of antibody. IG provides temporary immunity to the virus for 2-3 months, if administered prior to exposure or within 2 weeks after exposure.