Hepatitis A is an acute liver infection that causes severe inflammation within this organ. Approximately one-third of people in the United States have developed hepatitis A at some point during their lives, according to a 2005 article published in "The Journal of the American Medical Association." People can protect themselves against acquiring this virus by receiving a hepatitis A vaccine. There are several types of hepatitis A vaccines available within the United States, and patients should discuss these options with a doctor before being immunized.
Havrix
Havrix is a type of hepatitis A vaccine indicated for patients older than the age of 12 months. Typically, this hepatitis A vaccine is administered as two injections given six to 12 months apart. Patients receive this immunization as an intramuscular injection in either the thigh or upper arm.
The primary side effects associated with Havrix include injection site pain or soreness and headache, according to GlaxoSmithKline, the pharmaceutical distributor of this vaccine. Patients who are allergic to neomycin or any other component of Havrix should not receive this vaccine due to an increased risk of developing a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It is unknown what affect Havrix may have during pregnancy or breast feeding, but expectant or nursing mothers should avoid treatment with this immunization.
Vaqta
Vaqta is a type of hepatitis A vaccine that is also indicated for patients age 12 months and older. This vaccine is administered as two intramuscular injections given six to 18 months apart. Patients between 1- and 2-years of age most frequently experience side effects of fever and injection site tenderness or pain following immunization, reports Merck, the pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor of Vaqta. Patients older than 2 may also experience headache pain in conjunction with injection site tenderness or soreness after receiving this hepatitis A vaccine. Hypersensitivity to any component of this vaccine, including neomycin, precludes immunization. Pregnant or nursing mothers should avoid receiving this vaccine due to the potential of fetal or infant medical complications, unless otherwise instructed by a medical professional.
Twinrix
Twinrix is a combination vaccine that protects treated patients against developing both hepatitis A and B. This type of hepatitis A vaccine is indicated for patients older than age of 18, GlaxoSmithKline reports. Typically, Twinrix is administered as three intramuscular injections, with subsequent doses given at one and six months following initial treatment. This type of hepatitis A vaccine may also be given as a four-dose immunization given at seven, 21 and 30 days following initial treatment. The four-dose treatment schedule can be supplemented with a booster injection at 12 months after the initial Twinrix treatment. The most common side effects associated with Twinrix during clinical trials for this vaccine were injection site reaction, headache and fatigue. Patients who are hypersensitive to baker's yeast, neomycin or any other component of this vaccine should not be immunized with Twinrix due to an elevated risk of developing anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. The safety of this vaccine during breast feeding or pregnancy is unknown. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not receive treatment with Twinrix unless indicated by a physician.
