Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease

HEPATITIS A

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease

HEPATITIS A

Overview

 

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Anyone can get hepatitis A. It is spread through the fecal-oral route by eating or drinking contaminated food or drink, or by close personal or sexual contact with an infected person. Individuals who are caring for someone who is ill with hepatitis A are also at risk for infection.1

 

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SYMPTOMS1,2

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark urine
  • Diarrhea
  • Clay-colored stool
  • Joint pain
  • Jaundice (white of eyes and skin become yellowish)
 
ELIGIBILITY 2,3
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hepatitis A vaccination for adults at risk for HAV infection or severe disease from HAV infection and for adults requesting protection against HAV without acknowledgment of a risk factor. According to the CDC, the following groups are at risk:
 
  • Users of injection or noninjection drugs
  • Persons experiencing homelessness
  • Persons with chronic liver disease (CLD)
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Persons who travel in countries with high or intermediate hepatitis A endemicity
  • Persons who have an occupational risk for infection
  • Persons with close personal contact with an international adoptee during the first 60 days after arrival in US from a country with high or intermediate endemicity
  • Persons with HIV infection
  • Persons in settings for exposure, including healthcare settings targeting services to injection or noninjection drug users or group homes and nonresidential day care facilities for developmentally disabled persons
  • People who are not at risk but want protection
Please refer to the ACIP Schedule for the complete hepatitis A recommendation.
 
ACIP=Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

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Facts About Hepatitis A

 

Hepatitis A can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months.1 There have been outbreaks of hepatitis A in the US over time. Between 2016 and March 2021, there were outbreaks in 35 states.4

 

According to the CDC, hepatitis A vaccination is the best way to help prevent HAV infection.1

Icon: liver

HEPATITIS A CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE LIVER AND, IN RARE CASES, CAN CAUSE LIVER FAILURE AND DEATH.1

Icon: travel

PEOPLE TRAVELING TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARE AT HIGH RISK FOR HEPATITIS A5

Icon: traveling outside the U.S.

SOME EXPERTS ADVISE PEOPLE TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. TO CONSIDER HEPATITIS A VACCINATION REGARDLESS OF THEIR DESTINATION6  

Educational Resources

 

View our wide range of downloadable and printable tools and resources to be proactive in your vaccination efforts. 

Pharmacist Resources

Pharmacist Pocket Guide: Hepatitis A Vaccine PDF
Pharmacy Technicians Pocket Guide: Hepatitis A Vaccine PDF

Patient Resources

Information Statement Hepatitis A VIS (CDC)
Outbreak Brochure

Hepatitis A Pharmacy Kit

Hepatitis A Pharmacy Kit: Poster (11' x 17')
Hepatitis A Pharmacy Kit: Poster (24 x 36')
Hepatitis A Pharmacy Kit: Consumer FAQ Sheet
Hepatitis A Pharmacy Kit: Social Media Posts

Download entire kit

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Many patients may not know that there are vaccines recommended for them to help protect against certain diseases. You can help educate patients about these vaccine-preventable diseases, and explain why it’s important for them to be up to date on their vaccinations.

References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis A questions and answers for the public. January 24, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hall E, Wodi AP, Hamborsky J, et al, eds. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. 14th ed. Public Health Foundation; 2021. Accessed February 1, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/index.html 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended adult immunization schedule for ages 19 years or older, United States, 2022. Reviewed February 17, 2022. Accessed February 18, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-combined-schedule.pdf 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Widespread person-to-person outbreaks of hepatitis A across the United States. Accessed January 24, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2017March-HepatitisA.htm 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis A questions and answers for health professionals. Accessed January 24, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/havfaq.htm 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Yellow Book 2020: Health Information for International Travel. Oxford University Press; 2017.