hepatitis a vaccine (inactivated, adsorbed) at a glance
Class
Inactivated viral vaccine containing no live hepatitis A virus.
Protects against
Hepatitis A only, not other forms of viral hepatitis or other causes of liver disease.
Administration
Given by injection, normally into an upper-arm muscle or the thigh in younger children.
What is hepatitis a vaccine (inactivated, adsorbed) used for?
Licensed products provide active immunisation against hepatitis A in their specified age groups. They are used for people at increased risk of acquiring, spreading or becoming seriously ill from hepatitis A.
Travel to places where hepatitis A is common.
Long-term liver disease or other factors increasing the risk of severe infection.
Sexual, injecting-drug, occupational or close-contact exposure risks.
UK public-health guidance supports post-exposure vaccination and outbreak control, sometimes alongside human normal immunoglobulin after specialist risk assessment; this is a non-licensed context for the selected VAQTA products.
How does hepatitis a vaccine (inactivated, adsorbed) work?
The inactivated viral antigen cannot reproduce or cause hepatitis A. It prompts the immune system to make antibodies and immune memory. Protection is not immediate, and responses may be weaker in immunocompromised people.
How to take hepatitis a vaccine (inactivated, adsorbed)
A trained healthcare professional gives the vaccine by injection. Tell the vaccinator about previous vaccine reactions, relevant allergies, fever, pregnancy, immune suppression, phenylketonuria, bleeding disorders or medicines affecting clotting.
Intramuscular injection is preferred; an alternative route may be considered for selected people at bleeding risk.
Other injectable vaccines or immunoglobulin should use separate syringes and injection sites.
The suspension should be shaken and visually checked before administration.
hepatitis a vaccine (inactivated, adsorbed) side effects
Common or expected effects
- Pain, tenderness, redness, warmth or swelling at the injection site
- Headache
- Tiredness, weakness or feeling unwell
- Fever or irritability
- Muscle, joint or injected-arm pain
- Reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, collapse or shock
- Seizure
- New progressive weakness, tingling or difficulty walking
- Unusual bruising or bleeding that could indicate a low platelet count
hepatitis a vaccine (inactivated, adsorbed) in pregnancy
UKHSA advises that hepatitis A-containing vaccines may be given during pregnancy when clinically indicated. Product information is cautious: VAQTA is not recommended unless infection risk is high and expected benefit outweighs fetal risk, while AVAXIM Junior requires an individual benefit–risk assessment. Discuss exposure and travel risk with the vaccination service.
hepatitis a vaccine (inactivated, adsorbed) while breastfeeding
Inactivated vaccines are considered compatible with breastfeeding in UK specialist guidance. AVAXIM Junior is licensed for use while breastfeeding; VAQTA product information advises caution because direct studies in breastfed infants are unavailable.
hepatitis a vaccine (inactivated, adsorbed) interactions
Important issues mainly concern immune response and simultaneous injections rather than conventional metabolic interactions.
Immunosuppressive treatment
Cancer treatment, immune-modifying medicines or immunodeficiency may reduce the antibody response; specialist assessment or antibody testing may be appropriate.
Human normal immunoglobulin
It can be given at the same visit using a separate syringe and site, but vaccine antibody levels may be lower.
Common questions about hepatitis a vaccine (inactivated, adsorbed)
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can this vaccine cause hepatitis A?
No. It contains inactivated virus that cannot reproduce or cause hepatitis A.
Is it routinely offered to everyone?
No. It is usually offered after an individual risk assessment because hepatitis A is uncommon in the UK.
Can immunocompromised people receive it?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.