From the Research
Hepatitis A Vaccine Recommendation
The Hepatitis A (Hep A) vaccine is typically recommended for children beginning at age 1 year and for high-risk adults 1.
Age Recommendation
There is no specific age at which the Hep A vaccine is no longer recommended, but the severity of hepatitis A increases with age, and older persons and individuals with chronic liver disease and immunocompromising conditions have an increased risk of progressing to fulminant hepatic failure resulting in death 2.
Vaccine Protection
The duration of protection against hepatitis A for the current two-dose vaccine compared to a three-dose vaccine schedule in children is unknown, but studies have shown that the two- and three-dose schedules provide similar protection >14 years after vaccination, indicating a booster dose is not needed at this time 1.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
For post-exposure prophylaxis in individuals over 40 years of age, the use of hepatitis A vaccine is recommended as soon as possible within 14 days after exposure to achieve the best possible immune response 3.
- Key points:
- Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for children beginning at age 1 year and for high-risk adults
- The severity of hepatitis A increases with age
- Older persons and individuals with chronic liver disease and immunocompromising conditions have an increased risk of progressing to fulminant hepatic failure resulting in death
- The duration of protection against hepatitis A for the current two-dose vaccine compared to a three-dose vaccine schedule in children is unknown
- The use of hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis in individuals over 40 years of age 4, 5, 2, 1, 3