Hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented by safe and effective vaccines.
- Hepatitis A vaccine (two shots) for persons 12 months and older who need protection against hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B (three shots) for persons of all ages who need protection against hepatitis B
- Hepatitis A and B combination vaccine (three shots) for persons 18 years and older who need protection against hepatitis A and hepatitis B
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
Why You Should Get the Hepatitis A or B Vaccine
- Hepatitis A and B infection can cause serious liver injury and on occasion even lead to death from liver failure.
- Hepatitis A and B vaccines are very safe.
- Hepatitis A and B vaccines result in protective immunity in more than 95% of those who take all the recommended shots.
- Hepatitis B vaccine has been shown to prevent deadly liver cancer.
Who should get the hepatitis A vaccine?
- All children 12-23 months old.
- In some states, hepatitis A vaccination of all children has been recommended since 1999. If you have children older than 2 years, ask your doctor or health clinic if they should be vaccinated.
- Men who have sex with men.
- People who use street drugs.
- People with liver disease, including chronic hepatitis B or C, or those undergoing liver transplantation.
- People with clotting factor disorders.
- Laboratory workers who handle live hepatitis A virus.
Who should get the hepatitis B vaccine?
- Everyone age 18 years and younger.
- Adults over 18 who are at increased risk for hepatitis B including:
- Household contacts and sexual partners of persons who test positive for hepatitis B.
- Household contacts and sexual partners of foreign-born people from parts of the world where hepatitis B is common (such as Asia, the Pacific Islands) should consider getting vaccinated if the hepatitis B status of the foreign-born person is unknown.
- People who practice high-risk sex, including people with more than one sex partner in the previous 6 months, men who have sex with men, and anyone being treated for a sexually transmitted disease.
- People with HIV infection.
- People who inject illegal drugs.
- People who are traveling to areas where hepatitis B is common, including Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
- People whose work-related activities involve exposure to blood in a healthcare, laboratory, public safety, or institutional setting.
- Selected patients such as those on hemodialysis or those undergoing liver transplantation.
Vaccination is only part of hepatitis prevention that should include practicing safe sex and not sharing personal items that might have blood on them.
- Limit number of sex partners and use latex condoms every time.
- Do not share razors or toothbrushes.
- If you inject illegal drugs, stop shooting, and get into a treatment program.
- If you cannot stop drug use, do not reuse or share needles or works.
Where You Can Get Vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B
- You can be vaccinated in your doctor’s office or health clinic.
References
1. Prevention of hepatitis A through active or passive immunization: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR 1999;48 (No. RR-12):1-42.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov/hepatitis
3. Immunization Action Coalition www.immunize.org
4. Hepatitis B virus: a comprehensive strategy for eliminating transmission in the United States through universal childhood vaccination: Recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP). MMWR 1991;40 (No. RR-13):1-25.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and Control of Infections with Hepatitis Viruses in Correctional Settings. MMWR 2003;52(No. RR-1):34-36.
For further information, consult the American Liver Foundation or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .