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).."
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Hepatitis A Vaccine Protects You and Your Baby

"Hepatitis A Vaccine Protects You and Your Baby

 The best way to prevent hepatitis A is by getting the hepatitis A vaccine. Babies infected with hepatitis A may not show any symptoms, and can pass the virus on to unvaccinated adults who can get very sick. 

What is Hepatitis A, and How Does It Spread?

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. When symptoms are apparent, it can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Although rare, hepatitis A can even cause death in some people. Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool (poop) of a person who has the virus. It can spread when:

• Infected persons do not wash their hands properly after going to the bathroom and then touch objects or food
• Caregivers do not properly wash their hands after changing diapers or cleaning up the stool of an infected person

Babies and Hepatitis A

Babies can get hepatitis A by putting contaminated objects or hands or food in their mouths. Hepatitis A spreads easily, even when people use good hand washing practices. Babies can pass hepatitis A infection to their caregivers who come in contact with the virus from diapers or stool. That’s why the hepatitis A (hepA) vaccine provides the best protection for everyone!

Why Should Your Baby Get the Hepatitis A Vaccine?

Hepatitis A infection rates have declined more than 95 percent since the hepatitis A vaccine first became available in 1995.

The hepatitis A vaccine:

• Protects your child from hepatitis A, a potentially serious disease.
• Protects other people from the disease. This is because children under 6 years old with hepatitis A usually don’t have symptoms, but they can still pass the disease to others.
• Keeps your child from missing school or childcare (and keeps you from missing work to care for your sick child)..."
  Hepatitis A vaccine

Prevent Hepatitis A: Get Vaccinated Before You Travel

"Hepatitis A is common in many parts of the world, particularly in some popular travel destinations such as Mexico, and Central and South America. On May 1, 2015, CDC released an advisory to travelers to Tulum, Mexico, as public health officials had recently identified 27 cases of Hepatitis A in 12 states as of the end of April – all sharing this travel destination. Unvaccinated travelers to Tulum and other areas where Hepatitis A is common are at a greater risk of getting infected with the hepatitis A virus. During Hepatitis Awareness Month, learn more about how the hepatitis A vaccine can protect you from getting infected when traveling..."
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