Hepatitis A, B Vaccine
The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all children between 12 months and 18 years of age living in the United States. It is also recommended for others who are considered to be at increased risk of infection, including:
- Those traveling to countries with moderate or high rates of hepatitis A
- Those in close contact with a child adopted from a country with moderate or high rates of hepatitis A
- People experiencing homelessness
- Men who have sex with men
- People who use injection or non-injection drugs
- People with chronic liver disease or HIV infection
- People with increased risk of exposure because of their job
- Pregnant women who might be at increased risk
- Unvaccinated people 1 year of age and older who are at risk for hepatitis A during outbreaks
- People who have been exposed to hepatitis A in the last two weeks (known as postexposure prophylaxis).
The hepatitis A vaccine is typically given as a series of two shots — the second administered at least 6 months after the first. Children receiving the first shot should be at least 1 year old. Those up to 18 years old who have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A should get the vaccine.
Because hepatitis A outbreaks occur each year in the U.S., adults who wish to be protected against the disease can be vaccinated. (For more information about recent outbreaks, see “Why are recent hepatitis A outbreaks concerning to health officials?” in the “Other questions you might have” section lower on this page.)
If an unvaccinated person 1 year of age or older is exposed to hepatitis A, they should get one dose of hepatitis A vaccine within 2 weeks of exposure. This is called postexposure prophylaxis. These individuals should get a second dose 6 months after the first dose for long-term protection.
The threat of hepatitis A virus
Although the threat of hepatitis A virus infection is high in developing countries, the United States is not, by any means, hepatitis A virus-free. Each year, about 1,000-17,500 people in the United States, many of whom are children, contract hepatitis A virus. And every year about 75 people die from hepatitis A virus infection. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children get the hepatitis A vaccine between 12 and 23 months of age. Those up to 18 years of age who have not previously received hepatitis A vaccine should also be vaccinated.
