Table of Contents
- Overview
- Prevention
The hepatitis A vaccine protects you against a type of liver infection called
Alternative Names
Vaccine - hepatitis A; Immunization - hepatitis A; Havrix; VAQTA
Information
The hepatitis A vaccine is called Havrix or VAQTA. It is a killed, or inactivated vaccine. This means it is made from smaller pieces of the whole hepatitis A virus. After you get the vaccine, your body learns to attack hepatitis A if you are exposed to it.
This means you are very unlikely to get sick with hepatitis A. Because no vaccine is 100% effective, however, it is still possible to get hepatitis A after you have been completely vaccinated.
The vaccine is given as a shot in your arm. You need two vaccinations to make sure you are completely protected against the disease. After receiving the first vaccination, children and adults should have a booster vaccination in 6 to 12 months.
You should be protected against the disease within 2 - 4 weeks after getting the first dose.
A vaccine for adults called Twinrix provides protection against both hepatitis A and B. It is given in three doses.
WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THIS VACCINE
Review Date: 12/18/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
