Vaccine (Shot) for Hepatitis A

"Two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine are recommended for children by doctors as the best way to protect against hepatitis A.

Why should my child get the hepatitis A shot?

• Protects your child from hepatitis A, a potentially serious disease.
• Protects other people from the disease because children under 6 years old with hepatitis A usually don’t have symptoms, but they often pass the disease to others without anyone knowing they were infected.
• Keeps your child from missing school or childcare and you from missing work.

When should my child get the hepatitis A shot?

Your child will need two doses of the Hepatitis A shot for best protection. One dose at each of the following ages:

12 through 23 months

6 months after last dose

The hepatitis A shot is safe.

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The hepatitis A vaccine is very safe, and it is effective at preventing the hepatitis A disease. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own.

What are the side effects?

The most common side effects are usually mild and last 1 or 2 days. They include:

• Sore arm from the shot
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Fever
• Loss of appetite (not wanting to eat).."
  Hepatitis A