hepatitis a vaccine + hepatitis b vaccine at a glance
Medicine class
Combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine
Type
Non-live vaccine that cannot cause hepatitis A or hepatitis B
Administration
Injected into a muscle by a healthcare professional
What is hepatitis a vaccine + hepatitis b vaccine used for?
Licensed uses include active immunisation of non-immune people at risk of both infections.
Adults and adolescents aged 16 years or older.
Infants, children and adolescents aged 1 to 15 years.
How does hepatitis a vaccine + hepatitis b vaccine work?
The inactivated hepatitis A antigen and recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen stimulate antibodies and immune memory against both viruses without exposing the recipient to live hepatitis virus.
How to take hepatitis a vaccine + hepatitis b vaccine
A trained healthcare professional injects it into a muscle, usually in the upper arm; the thigh is preferred for infants. Tell the vaccinator about bleeding disorders, anticoagulants, immune suppression, current fever, previous vaccine reactions or a tendency to faint.
Different vaccines given at the same visit require separate syringes and injection sites.
It must not be injected into a blood vessel or mixed with another medicine in the same syringe.
hepatitis a vaccine + hepatitis b vaccine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
- Headache or tiredness
- Feeling generally unwell
- Nausea or other gastrointestinal symptoms
- In children: irritability, drowsiness, reduced appetite or fever
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty
- Seizure, collapse, new marked weakness or paralysis
hepatitis a vaccine + hepatitis b vaccine in pregnancy
Product information recommends delaying this combined vaccine until after birth unless hepatitis B protection is urgently needed. A clinician should assess infection risk and whether a combined or single-component vaccine is appropriate.
hepatitis a vaccine + hepatitis b vaccine while breastfeeding
Inactivated vaccines are considered compatible with breastfeeding. Direct studies of this combined product in breast milk are unavailable, but exposure is not expected to harm a breastfed infant.
hepatitis a vaccine + hepatitis b vaccine interactions
Interactions mainly affect immune response or vaccine administration.
Immunosuppressive medicines
May reduce or prevent an adequate antibody response.
Hepatitis A or hepatitis B immunoglobulin
Concurrent use is not expected to prevent seroconversion, but antibody concentrations may be lower.
Common questions about hepatitis a vaccine + hepatitis b vaccine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can this vaccine cause hepatitis?
No. Its components cannot reproduce and cause hepatitis A or hepatitis B.
Can it be used after a needlestick injury?
The selected products are not recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis. Urgent specialist assessment is needed because different hepatitis B measures may be indicated.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.