# Hepatitis A

> The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

Source: https://medova.health/en/knowledge/vaccines/hepatitis-a · Language: en

## Vaccine Information

- Type: Inactivated
- Administration: Injection
- WHO Code: HAV
- Travel Recommended: Yes

## Overview

Liver infection caused by hepatitis A virus, transmitted through contaminated food and water.

Liver infection caused by hepatitis A virus, transmitted through contaminated food and water.

Travelers to areas with poor sanitation, people with chronic liver disease.

**Pregnancy: Safe if indicated.**

Hepatitis A vaccine is an inactivated vaccine and is considered **safe during pregnancy** when the risk of hepatitis A infection warrants vaccination.


- WHO and CDC do not list pregnancy as a contraindication for inactivated hepatitis A vaccine.

- Recommended for pregnant travelers to areas with intermediate/high HAV endemicity.

- Hepatitis A infection during pregnancy carries significant maternal morbidity and risk of preterm delivery.

- No teratogenic effects have been observed in post-marketing surveillance.

- Immune response may be slightly reduced during pregnancy.

**Breastfeeding: Safe — no special precautions.**

Hepatitis A vaccine (inactivated) is safe during breastfeeding. The vaccine does not contain live virus and poses no risk to the breastfed infant. No modifications to the vaccination schedule or breastfeeding are required.

**Pediatric use:**


- Licensed from **12 months** of age (most formulations).

- Pediatric dose: 0.5 mL IM (half the adult dose for monovalent vaccines).

- Two-dose schedule: 0 and 6–18 months.

- Children <12 months: not routinely recommended (maternal antibodies may interfere), but can be given from 6 months for travel; a repeat 2-dose series is then needed from 12 months.

- Seroconversion rates: virtually 100% after 2 doses in healthy children.

- Combined Hep A/B vaccines (e.g., Twinrix Junior) available for children ≥1 year.

**Geriatric use:**


- Immune response may be reduced in older adults (≥60 years), but protective antibody levels are still achieved in >95% of vaccinees after 2 doses.

- Hepatitis A infection tends to be more severe in older adults and those with underlying liver disease — vaccination is particularly beneficial.

- No dose adjustment required. Standard 2-dose schedule applies.

- Adverse event profile is similar to younger adults.

## Side Effects

- Anaphylaxis (Very rare) — Serious
- Angioedema (Very rare) — Serious
- Arthralgia (Common)
- Diarrhea (Common)
- Dizziness (Common)
- Drowsiness (Common)
- Fatigue (Very common)
- Fever (Common)
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (Very rare) — Serious
- Headache (Very common)
- Injection site induration (Common)
- Injection site pain (Very common)
- Injection site redness (Very common)
- Injection site swelling (Very common)
- Injection site warmth (Common)
- Irritability (Common)
- Loss of appetite (Common)
- Malaise (Common)
- Myalgia (Common)
- Nausea (Common)
- Paresthesia (Rare)
- Syncope (Rare)
- Urticaria (Rare)
- Vomiting (Common)

## Contraindications

- Acute febrile illness (Precaution)
- Age below minimum recommended (Absolute)
- Anaphylaxis after previous dose (Absolute)
- Allergy to vaccine component (Absolute)
- Bleeding disorder (Precaution)
- Latex allergy (Precaution)
- Neomycin allergy (Relative)
- Recent immunoglobulin administration (Precaution)

## Vaccination Schedule

No schedule data available.

## FAQ

**What are the side effects of Hepatitis A?**

Common side effects include: Anaphylaxis, Angioedema, Arthralgia, Diarrhea, Dizziness.

**Who should not get Hepatitis A?**

Contraindications include: Acute febrile illness, Age below minimum recommended, Anaphylaxis after previous dose, Allergy to vaccine component, Bleeding disorder.

## Prevents

- [Hepatitis A](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/diseases/hepatitis-a)

## Indications

- [Myanmar](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/myanmar): Recommended
- [Saudi Arabia](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/saudi-arabia): Recommended
- [South Sudan](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/south-sudan): Recommended
- [Malaysia](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/malaysia): Recommended
- [Qatar](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/qatar): Recommended
- [Nicaragua](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/nicaragua): Recommended
- [Saint Vincent and the Grenadines](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines): Recommended
- [Colombia](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/colombia): Recommended
- [Niger](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/niger): Recommended
- [Togo](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/togo): Recommended

## Sources & content verification

- Data sources: WHO Position Papers 2024 + CDC Pink Book 2024 + EMA SmPC
- [www.who.int](https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/policies/position-papers)

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The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

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