Hepatitis A Vaccine

Hepatitis A, B and C are all viral infections that affect the liver, but they are caused by different viruses and spread in different ways. Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water, typically in regions with limited sanitation. It causes an acute illness and does not become chronic. Hepatitis B and C spread through blood and bodily fluids and can cause chronic liver disease. Vaccination is available for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B, either separately or as a combined Twinrix course.

Two doses in total: an initial dose, which provides protection for around twelve months, and a booster given between six and twelve months later, which extends protection for at least twenty years. For most travellers, a single dose before departure is sufficient for the trip. The booster can be arranged afterwards, within the recommended window.

In limited circumstances. The NHS provides hepatitis A vaccination for close contacts of confirmed cases, for people with chronic liver disease, for men who have sex with men, and for certain occupational groups. It is not routinely offered to healthy adults travelling for leisure or to visit relatives. Private vaccination is the standard route for most travellers.

After the initial dose, protection lasts approximately one year. After the booster dose, given six to twelve months after the first, protection is estimated to last at least twenty to twenty-five years, and may be lifelong for most people who complete the course.

Yes. Havrix 1440 can be given at the same appointment as most other travel vaccines, including typhoid, hepatitis B, meningitis ACWY and diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Your clinician will review your travel plans and health history to confirm which vaccines are needed and whether any should be given at separate visits.

Yes. Havrix Junior (720 units) is the paediatric formulation, suitable from twelve months of age. The adult formulation, Havrix 1440, is for those aged sixteen and over. We vaccinate children at all our clinics; please let us know when booking that you are bringing a child so we can confirm the appropriate formulation.

The vaccine is recommended for travel to South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh; Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia; the Middle East and North Africa; sub-Saharan Africa; and Central and South America. The risk applies wherever water quality and food hygiene standards may be unreliable, regardless of whether your travel is for tourism, business or to visit family.

At least two weeks before departure if possible, to allow full antibody levels to develop. If you book an appointment with less than two weeks to go, a single dose will still provide some protection for many people; your clinician can advise based on your travel dates, destination and individual circumstances.

For most destinations and itineraries, yes. A single dose of Havrix 1440 provides reliable protection from around two weeks after vaccination and is generally sufficient for the duration of a trip. The second dose is needed for long-term protection, not for the immediate trip. If you are travelling repeatedly or for extended periods, completing the full two-dose course is recommended.

Side effects are typically mild. The most common is soreness, redness or mild swelling at the injection site. A low-grade fever, headache or mild fatigue in the day or two after vaccination is also reported by some patients. Serious reactions are rare. Your clinician will go through what to expect before administering the vaccine.

If you received two doses and the second was given more than six months after the first, your protection is likely long-lasting and a repeat course is not usually needed. If you only received a single dose, or if you are uncertain whether you completed the full course, a review with your clinician is worthwhile before you travel.

If you have had a confirmed hepatitis A infection in the past, you are likely to have long-lasting natural immunity and may not need vaccination. Your clinician can review your history and advise. If you are unsure whether your previous illness was confirmed as hepatitis A, a blood test to check antibody levels may be worthwhile before a decision is made.