What is it?
Hepatitis A is a highly infectious virus that can cause inflammation of the liver. The virus is most commonly transmitted through food or water that has been contaminated by human faeces or by direct contact with an infected person.
Risk areas
Hepatits A occurs worldwide, but areas with high levels of infection include low-income countries where there is poor sanitation or hygeiene practices. High risk areas include:
Prevention
The most common route of infection in travellers is consumption of contaminated food or water. Simple measures to reduce the risk of infection include
Vaccine schedule
There are several effective Hepatitis A vaccines available for travellers who intend to visit areas where Hepatitis A is common. Some of these vaccines have been combined with Typhoid and Hepatitis B.
Vaccine | Schedule | Age range |
---|---|---|
Hepatitis A | 2 doses, given 6 – 12 months apart | Adults & children older than 1 year |
Hepatitis A + Typhoid | 1 dose followed by a single hepatitis A vaccine 6-12 months later | Adults 15 years and over |
Hepatitis A + B | 3 doses, 0, 1, and 6 months 4 doses, days 0, 7 and 21, 4th dose at 12 months |
Adults & children older than 1 year Adults 18 years and over |
Length of protection
The duration of protection from a completed course of Hepatitis A vaccine is a minimum of 25 years.