Considerations For The Vaccine Against Hepatitis A

consideration-vaccine-hepatitis-A Adults who are considering a trip abroad where hepatitis A is common may in to test for antibodies to HAV (anti-HAV test) before starting a vaccination program against hepatitis A. If you already have HAV in the blood, which are protected against infection, and should not be vaccinated.

Please consider the following before you go through tests with anti-HAV before vaccination:

The schedule can be less expensive than anti-HAV testing. The testing costs include the cost of a physician visit and laboratory tests. If tests show that you need to get vaccinated, you must pay to complete the vaccination series (two shots given at different times), including costs of additional consultations.
You can receive the vaccine against hepatitis A, even if you have antibodies against hepatitis A in the blood, and no harm would result.
The vaccine against hepatitis A is not fully effective until 4 weeks after injection. But the vaccine will provide some protection after 2 weeks.

If you will be tested for anti-HAV, make sure to do before your trip. People over 60 who want to receive the vaccine before 4 weeks before departure, because evidence suggests that the immune response develops more slowly in older people.

If you find that you need the vaccine, but which moves at less than 4 weeks, you should receive the first shot in the vaccination. One shot provides protection to 90% by the disease and may reduce the severity of the disease. If you want to be extra careful, you may receive the first shot in the vaccination and the injection of immune globulin (IG). This will ensure you’re protected against HAV. You can receive the second injection of the vaccine against hepatitis A 6 to 18 months (as recommended by the manufacturer of the vaccine) after the first shooting.

Other factors to consider regarding the vaccine against Hepatitis A :

Two doses of vaccine are needed to protect themselves better, so try to get his first shot at least 6 months before going to a foreign country where hepatitis A is common.
Routine vaccination of hospital personnel, food handlers and child care workers and attendees Center does not occur at this time, since their probability of infection is generally higher than the general community. However, some centers have child care workers get the shot because it works so well to prevent the disease. There are also very low likelihood of vaccine side effects. If outbreaks of HAV infection occur in these environments, people who have been exposed to the virus should receive an injection of immunoglobulin (IG).
If you have had close personal contact with someone who has hepatitis A, you should get the vaccine against hepatitis A or an injection of IG as soon as possible. If you have received vaccine or IG within 2 weeks of exposure to hepatitis, you may not have symptoms of infection with HAV. For more information, see the section on drugs in this matter.
The vaccine against hepatitis A also provides some protection against infection if exposed to the virus.