Is your teen vaccinated against Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver. Most frequently, the causes of hepatitis are viral infections. The most commonly reported of these viral infections are due to the hepatitis A virus (HAV). In the United States in 2019, there were over 18,000 reported HAV infections and over 37,000 estimated infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Each year, the numbers fluctuate somewhat, due to the nature of viruses. In the years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers have drastically dropped. In 2022, the most recent year for which we have data reported by the CDC, there were just 2,265 hepatitis A cases reported and 4,500 estimated infections.

However, it’s important to understand that the pandemic may have affected how often people seek healthcare and how often they got tested, which may partly be responsible for these lower numbers. Before the pandemic, the numbers were on the rise, with a 1,325 percent rise between 2015 and 2019.

Fortunately, there is a vaccine that can protect a person from hepatitis A. The hepatitis A vaccine (HepA) is typically given in two doses. The first dose is administered when a person is between 12 and 23 months old, and the second is administered at least six months later. It’s also recommended for anyone 18 and under who has not been vaccinated, and for any adults over the age of 18 who were not previously vaccinated.

Here’s what you should know about hepatitis A and the HepA vaccine.

Hepatitis A transmission

Hepatitis A is primarily spread through exposure to fecal matter (poop) or blood. You may have heard that viral hepatitis can also be spread through activities like drug use and sex, and hepatitis A can and does spread in these ways.

But it can also spread through something as simple as a person touching a surface contaminated with very small amounts of fecal matter (such as a household or public restroom) and then biting the nails. The virus can also be spread when food and beverages become contaminated with fecal matter.

Close contact with someone who has hepatitis A can also spread the infection between people. One of the reasons that the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended at such a young age (12 to 23 months) is that infections are often asymptomatic (meaning there are no visible symptoms) in children under the age of six. And people with asymptomatic infections can spread the virus to other people.

Hepatitis infection

Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A infections do not become chronic (or long-term). A typical hepatitis A infection resolves within a few weeks to several months, and almost always resolves within six months. Hepatitis A infections typically doesn’t cause lasting liver damage. (Cases that result in liver failure and death are rare, usually affecting older adults who have other serious liver conditions.)

Even if it’s a short-term infection, hepatitis A can cause a person to become quite ill. Symptoms can include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellow skin and eyes, and low-grade fever. And while a person has a hepatitis A infection, they can spread the virus to other people—and it can be contagious up to two weeks before symptoms appear.

However, it's important to note that some people with a hepatitis A infection never have any symptoms.

Stay up to date with vaccinations

While most people in the U.S. are vaccinated during their second year of life, people sometimes miss vaccines or miss the recommended doses of a vaccine. If you are uncertain if your teen is up to date on their recommended vaccinations, the best thing you can do is check with their current healthcare providers (HCPs) and any HCPs they have seen in the past.

If it turns out that your teen has gaps in their recommended vaccinations, it’s very important to prioritize filling those gaps. According to the CDC, any children or adolescents between 2 and 18 years old should receive a HepA vaccine. Your child’s HCP can put together a “catch up” schedule to get immunizations up to date.

What to know about the HepA vaccine

Now that you know the importance of the HepA vaccine, here are some essential facts about the shot:

• In people under the age of 18, the HepA vaccine requires two shots, given six months apart.
• No serious side effects have been reported from the HepA vaccine. The most common side effect is soreness at the injection site.
• There are two different HepA vaccines available in the U.S. Both are inactivated vaccines (they do not contain live, weakened viruses). Make sure to get a copy of the prescription for your records, which will have the name of the vaccine used.
• People should not receive the HepA vaccine if they are allergic to any of the ingredients in the HepA vaccine. Always discuss any allergies and history of allergic reactions with your HCP.
• The vaccine can be administered at an HCP’s office or at a local pharmacy.

If you have any questions about the HepA vaccine (or any other vaccines), your best source of information will be your HCP.