Prevention of Hepatitis A Using Vaccine
The vaccine against hepatitis A (Hepatitis A Vaccine) is the most effective means of preventing infection of hepatitis A virus (HAV). The hepatitis A vaccines provides 94% to 100% protection if you have two shots of vaccine.
Immunization with the hepatitis A vaccine against hepatitis A is recommended for:
- All children from age 1. Two separate doses are given at least 6 months apart. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made this recommendation in 2006. Many children and adolescents have not had the hepatitis A vaccine.
- Adolescents and children who have not had the vaccine against hepatitis A and are in the following situations:
- An epidemic of the disease has occurred recently.
- They live in a community or state that has established routine immunization because the disease occurs more frequently than in other areas.
- People with health travel, work or lifestyle puts them at risk of exposure. This includes:
- Those planning a trip to a foreign country where sanitary conditions are poor and hepatitis A is common.
- People who use illegal drugs.
- Men who have sex with men.
- People who work with monkeys that are infected and those who work with the virus in a research context.
- People with long-term (chronic) liver disease.
- Who are awaiting or have undergone a liver transplant.
- Persons with hemophilia or related disorders in blood clotting.
A combination hepatitis vaccine (Twinrix vaccine) that prevents hepatitis B and hepatitis A is available for persons over 18 years.
Related posts: