If you think you may have been exposed to or infected with hepatitis A, talk with your provider.
The hepatitis A vaccine protects infants, children, and adults from hepatitis A. These vaccines are routinely provided during the primary infant vaccination series. The vaccine is recommended for adolescents and adults at high risk of infection or severe disease as described below, as well as anyone seeking protection.
Who SHOULD get the vaccine:
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that the following people should receive hepatitis A vaccination:
Children
People at increased risk for getting infected
People at increased risk for severe disease from HAV infection
Who should NOT get the vaccine (if applicable):
There are many places to get the hepatitis A vaccine. If you have insurance, talk to your doctor or check with your local pharmacy to see what vaccines are offered. Most health insurances cover the cost of all recommended vaccines for children and adults.
If you are uninsured or underinsured, there are programs available to help cover the cost of vaccines. Children who are 18 years of age or younger are eligible to receive vaccines at no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program if they are:
Click to see if your child is eligible to receive VFC vaccines: English | Spanish
Uninsured or underinsured adults can access free or low cost vaccines at select clinics enrolled in the Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program. For more information on who is eligible, read VFA Eligibility Based on Insurance Status. You can use the following resources for more information on locating clinics:
You can also dial 2-1-1 for a list of free or low cost vaccine clinics. This includes Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider locations that serve Medi-Cal eligible children and uninsured or underinsured adults. Learn more about specific vaccine information for different age groups:
Are you not sure if you have been vaccinated against hepatitis A or you can’t find your vaccine records?
If you need official copies of your vaccine records, or if you need to update your personal records:
Table 1: Hepatitis A Vaccines
Trade Name (manufacturer) |
Age group (yrs) | Dosage | Route | Number of Doses & Schedule |
Booster |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline) |
1-18 | 0.5 mL | IM | 2 doses at 0, 6-12 months | None |
≥19 | 1 mL | IM | 2 doses at 0, 6-12 months | None | |
Vaqta (Merck) |
1-18 | 0.5 mL | IM | 2 doses at 0, 6-18 months | None |
≥19 | 1 mL | IM | 2 doses at 0, 6-18 months | None | |
Twinrix* (GlaxoSmithKline) |
≥18 (primary) | 1 mL | IM | 3 doses at 0, 1, 6 months | None |
≥18 (accelerated schedule) | 1 mL | IM | 3 doses at 0, 7, 21-30 days | 12 months |
*Twinrix is not recommended for post – exposure prophylaxis.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis — The primary tool for protection against hepatitis A prior to exposure is vaccination, which is superior to immune globulin with respect to achievable antibody concentrations and durability of immune response. Administration of immune globulin is warranted for selected nonimmune individuals at risk for hepatitis A exposure. Indications for each of these interventions are outlined in Table 2.
Post-exposure prophylaxis to individuals exposed to HAV consists of hepatitis A vaccine and/or immune globulin, depending on the patient characteristics.
Table 2: Recommendations for postexposure prophylaxis and preexposure protection, by age group and risk category Indication/Age Group | Risk category/Health Status | Hepatitis A vaccine | Immune globulin |
---|---|---|---|
Postexposure prophylaxis | |||
<12 months | Healthy | No | 0.1mL/kg |
12 months-40 years | Healthy | 1 dose† | None |
>40 years | Healthy | 1 dose† | 0.1 mL/kg§ |
≥12 months | Immunocompromised or chronic liver disease | 1 dose† | 0.1 mL/kg¶ |
≥12 months | Vaccine contraindicated** | No | 0.1 mL/kg |
Preexposure protection | |||
<6 months | Healthy | No | 0.1–0.2 mL/kg§§ |
6-11 months | Healthy | 1 dose¶¶ | None |
12 months-40 years | Healthy | 1 dose*** | None |
>40 years | Healthy | 1 dose*** | 0.1–0.2 mL/kg§§,††† |
All ages | Immunocompromised or chronic liver disease | 1 dose*** | 0.1–0.2 mL/kg§§,††† |
>6 months | Persons who elect not to receive vaccine or for whom vaccine is contraindicated** | No | 0.1–0.2 mL/kg§§ |
* Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine should not be administered for at least 2 weeks before and 6 months after administration of IG.
† A second dose of HepA vaccine is not required for postexposure prophylaxis; however, for long-term immunity, the vaccination series should be completed with a second dose at least 6 months after the first dose.
§ The provider's risk assessment should determine the need for IG administration. If the provider's risk assessment determines that both vaccine and IG are warranted, hepatitis A vaccine and IG should be administered simultaneously in a different anatomic site (eg, separate limbs).
¶ Vaccine and IG should be administered simultaneously in a different anatomic site (eg, separate limbs).
** Life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of hepatitis A vaccine or allergy to any vaccine component.
†† IG should be considered before travel for persons with special risk factors for either HAV infection or severe disease from HAV infection.
§§ 0.1 mL/kg for travel up to 1 month; 0.2 mL/kg for travel up to 2 months, 0.2mL/kg every 2 months for travel of ≥2 months' duration.
¶¶This dose should not be counted toward the routine 2-dose series, which should be initiated at age 12 months.
*** For persons not previously vaccinated with hepatitis A vaccine, administer dose as soon as travel is considered, and complete series according to routine schedule if the next dose is needed before travel.
††† May be administered based on provider's risk assessment.
Please contact the Acute Communicable Disease Control (ACDC) Program to report a case, obtain any other technical assistance with specimen collection or completion of forms for hepatitis A.