hepatitis a vaccine at a glance
Medicine class
Inactivated, aluminium-adsorbed viral vaccine
Usual role
Prevention of hepatitis A in people with increased exposure or complication risk
Administration
Usually injected into the upper-arm muscle by a trained professional
What is hepatitis a vaccine used for?
Havrix Monodose is licensed for active immunisation against hepatitis A in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and over, particularly when infection or transmission risk is increased.
Travel to places where hepatitis A is common
Chronic liver disease, including chronic hepatitis B or C
Haemophilia or certain other bleeding disorders
Injecting drug use
Sexual exposure risk among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men
Relevant occupational exposure
Close contact, outbreaks or exposure following public-health assessment
How does hepatitis a vaccine work?
It contains inactivated hepatitis A virus particles, which cannot cause hepatitis A. These stimulate antibodies and immune memory to help the body respond to later exposure.
How to take hepatitis a vaccine
A trained professional usually injects it into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. It must not be injected into a blood vessel or the buttock. For substantial bleeding risk, deep subcutaneous injection may be considered under local guidance, followed by firm pressure without rubbing.
Tell the vaccinator about severe allergies, feverish illness, bleeding disorders, immunosuppression and phenylketonuria.
Remain seated or lying down if you are prone to fainting around needles.
Other vaccines may be given at separate injection sites but must not be mixed in the same syringe.
hepatitis a vaccine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Pain, redness, swelling or firmness at the injection site
- Headache or tiredness
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
- Nausea, diarrhoea or reduced appetite
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty, collapse or facial and throat swelling
- A seizure or new, rapidly worsening weakness, numbness or difficulty walking requires urgent assessment
hepatitis a vaccine in pregnancy
It can be given during pregnancy when clinically indicated. Available information has not identified a vaccine-related risk, but discuss exposure risk and benefits with a prescriber, midwife or travel-health professional.
hepatitis a vaccine while breastfeeding
Inactivated vaccines, including hepatitis A vaccine, are compatible with breastfeeding when clinically indicated. Breastfeeding does not normally need to be interrupted.
hepatitis a vaccine interactions
Relevant issues mainly concern immune response and administration rather than conventional drug interactions.
Human normal immunoglobulin
It can be given at the same appointment at a different site, although the resulting hepatitis A antibody level may be lower.
Other vaccines
Compatible vaccines may be given at the same appointment using separate sites; they must not be mixed in the same syringe.
Immunosuppressive medicines
The immune response may be reduced, so specialist advice about protection and follow-up may be needed.
Common questions about hepatitis a vaccine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is hepatitis A vaccine routinely offered in the UK?
Not routinely to everyone, because UK infection risk is generally low. It is offered when travel, exposure, occupation or health conditions increase risk.
Can it cause hepatitis A?
No. It contains inactivated virus, which cannot reproduce or cause hepatitis A infection.
Can it help after exposure?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.