How safe is hepatitis A vaccine?
Research has shown hepatitis A vaccine to be safe and effective. Hepatitis A vaccine has been used in Europe and Asia in over one million people and studied in the United States since the 1980s. Hepatitis A vaccine is approved for use in the United States. Does the vaccine have side effects? The most common side effects are mild and may include pain and redness at the injection site. Fever, headache, and tiredness are less common. These symptoms, if they occur, last for only a short time. How many shots are needed? Children and adults need two shots of hepatitis A vaccine. 90% of people will be protected after the first shot but you will need the additional shot for long-term protection. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to return for the next dose. (Hepatitis A vaccine is currently not approved for use in children under 2 years of age.) What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed to hepatitis A? If you think you have been exposed to hepatitis A virus because a household member
