The hepatitis A vaccine is made with the virus inactivated and stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the hepatitis A virus, fighting future infections. Because it is made with the inactivated virus, this vaccine does not present contraindications and can be administered to children, adults, the elderly and pregnant women.
The hepatitis A vaccine is considered optional by the National Immunization Program of the Ministry of Health, but it is recommended that children from 12 months onwards take the first dose of the vaccine.
Hepatitis A is a contagious disease caused by the hepatitis A virus that causes a mild and short-lived illness and presents symptoms such as tiredness, yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, and low fever. Learn more about hepatitis A.
Vaccine Indications
The hepatitis A vaccine is considered optional and is usually recommended in cases of outbreak or contact with people with hepatitis A. However, the hepatitis A vaccine can be omitted from the age of 12 months as a form of prevention.
- Childhood : the first dose is administered at 12 months and the second dose at 18 months, and can be found at private vaccination clinics. If the child has not been vaccinated at 12 months, a single dose of the vaccine can be taken at 15 months, which is made available by SUS;
- Children, adolescents and adults : the vaccine is given in two doses at intervals of 6 months and is available at private vaccination clinics;
- Elderly : the vaccine is recommended only after the serological evaluation by the physician or in periods of hepatitis A outbreak, being administered in two doses with interval of 6 months between doses;
- Pregnant : The vaccine does not have contraindications, so the pregnant woman who has not been vaccinated can take the hepatitis A vaccine in two doses.
In addition to the hepatitis A vaccine alone, there is also the combined vaccine against the hepatitis A and B virus, which is an alternative for people who have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, being given in two doses in people under 16 years, with a 6-month interval between doses, and in three doses in people over 16 years of age, the second dose being administered 1 month after the first and the third dose 6 months after the first dose.
Side effects
Vaccine-related side effects are rare, however, there may be reactions at the site of application such as pain, redness, and swelling at the site where the vaccine was given, and symptoms should disappear after 1 day. In addition, the hepatitis A vaccine can also cause headaches, belly pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, decreased appetite, insomnia, irritability, fever, excessive tiredness and joint pain.
The hepatitis A vaccine has no contraindications, however if the person has allergy to any component of the vaccine or has had an allergic reaction to previous doses of the vaccine, it is not recommended that he take the vaccine again.
