Hepatitis A Vaccine

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HEPATITIS A VACCINE

Hepatitis A vaccine is prepared by inactivating hepatitis A viruses grown in cell culture. Two injections at intervals of approximately six months induce protection in 90 percent or more of recipients. Whether booster doses will be needed is not yet known. Soreness at the injection site is common and headaches are reported in up to 16 percent of recipients, but no significant adverse events are known to be caused by hepatitis A vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for persons at increased risk for hepatitis A, including children living in areas of the United States with high incidence of disease, persons of any age traveling to or working in countries with high levels of infection, and persons at increased risk due to occupation or behavior (e.g., injection drug use, men who have sex with other men).

Alan R. Hinman

(see also: Communicable Disease Control; Immunizations )

Bibliography

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1999). "Prevention of Hepatitis A Through Active or Passive Immunization. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)." Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 48:137.