What is the most important information I should know about hepatitis A vaccine?
This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a doctor’s office or other clinic setting. You will most likely receive 2 separate injections of the hepatitis A vaccine at 6 months apart, depending on your exposure or risk of infection. To prevent hepatitis A while traveling, you should receive this vaccine at least 2 weeks before your trip. Your healthcare provider will determine the best dosing schedule for your situation. Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor’s instructions about how much of this medicine to take. It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring if you have a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.
