Hepatitis A Vaccination Schedule for Children
All children in the United States should receive a 2-dose series of hepatitis A vaccine, with the first dose administered at 12-23 months of age and the second dose given 6-12 months later for Havrix or 6-18 months later for Vaqta. 1, 2
Standard Vaccination Schedule
- The first dose of hepatitis A vaccine should be administered to children at 12-23 months of age 1
- For Havrix, the second dose should be given 6-12 months after the first dose 1, 2
- For Vaqta, the second dose can be administered 6-18 months after the first dose 1, 2
- Both vaccines are administered intramuscularly with needle length based on the age and size of the patient 1
Administration Considerations
- Before administration, the vaccine should be shaken well and will appear as a slightly opaque, white-colored suspension when properly mixed 1
- If using different brands of hepatitis A vaccines, they are considered interchangeable for completing the 2-dose series 1
- If the vaccination schedule is interrupted, there is no need to restart the series - only the remaining dose needs to be administered 1
- The vaccine should be stored between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F) and should never be frozen as this destroys vaccine potency 1
Special Populations
- Children who will be traveling to or living in areas with intermediate or high hepatitis A endemicity should be immunized before departure 1
- Protection is reliably present by 4 weeks after administration of the first dose of hepatitis A vaccine and may be present as soon as 2 weeks after immunization 1
- Immunocompromising conditions are not a contraindication to receiving hepatitis A vaccine, as it is an inactivated virus 1
- The vaccine should not be administered to people with hypersensitivity to any vaccine components such as aluminum hydroxide and phenoxyethanol 1
Catch-up Vaccination
- In areas without existing hepatitis A immunization programs, catch-up immunization of unimmunized children 2-18 years of age can be considered 1
- Catch-up programs are especially warranted in the context of increasing incidence or ongoing outbreaks among children or adolescents 1
Efficacy and Safety
- Seroconversion rates in healthy children exceed 95% after the complete vaccination series 3
- Studies have shown that hepatitis A vaccine is well-tolerated in toddlers aged 12-24 months 4
- Pain at the injection site and irritability are the most frequently reported local and general symptoms, respectively 4
By following this recommended schedule, children will develop protective immunity against hepatitis A virus, reducing their risk of infection and associated complications.