Vaccine Pregnancy: Can be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed and possible advantages outweigh potential risks to the foetus. Breast-feeding: use only when possible advantages outweigh potential risks.

Hepatitis A vaccine

Brand names: Havrix, Avaxim, Vaqta

Hepatitis A vaccine is an inactivated vaccine used to provide active immunisation against hepatitis A virus infection, given to travellers to endemic areas and other at-risk groups.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 1.0 ml per dose (for subjects from 1 year up to and including 15 years of age)

Route: Intramuscular injection, usually into the deltoid muscle (anterolateral thigh in very young subjects)

Frequency: Two-dose primary course: first dose at elected date, second dose between 6 and 12 months after the first dose

IMPORTANT: The eMC source SPC is for Ambirix, a COMBINED hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine (360 ELISA Units inactivated HAV + hepatitis B surface antigen), indicated for children/adolescents aged 1 up to and including 15 years — it is NOT a standalone adult monovalent hepatitis A vaccine. No adult monovalent dosing is available in this bundle; clinician to source the specific hepatitis A vaccine product SPC for adult/monovalent regimens. Standard primary course = two doses; once initiated, complete with the same vaccine. Not recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis (e.g. needle-stick). Exceptionally may be given subcutaneously in thrombocytopenia/bleeding disorders (may give suboptimal response); must never be given intravascularly or into the gluteal muscle. Paediatric: safety and efficacy in children aged less than 1 year not established.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients, or to neomycin
Hypersensitivity after previous administration of hepatitis A and/or hepatitis B vaccines
Administration should be postponed in subjects suffering from acute severe febrile illness

Side effects

Pain and fatigue (most common; approx. 50% and 30% per dose)
Redness at the injection site; loss of appetite; irritability; headache (very common)
Drowsiness; gastrointestinal symptoms; fever; swelling at the injection site (common)
Dizziness, myalgia, upper respiratory tract infection (uncommon)
Allergic reactions including anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions; syncope/vasovagal responses (post-marketing)

Clinical monograph

How it works

It contains inactivated hepatitis A virus antigen that stimulates the immune system to produce protective antibodies, generating immunological memory against subsequent exposure.

Prescribing in practice

It is contraindicated in those with a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose or to a vaccine component, and acute febrile illness warrants deferral.
Completion of the recommended schedule, including the later reinforcing dose, is needed for long-term protection.
Administer by intramuscular injection and follow the relevant Green Book chapter, the SPC and current prescribing references for schedule and combined formulations.

Monitoring

Routine antibody monitoring is not generally required; observe after vaccination for immediate hypersensitivity and ensure the schedule is completed.

Counselling the patient

A reinforcing dose is needed for lasting protection; keep a record of vaccination dates.
Mild soreness at the injection site, headache or tiredness can occur and usually settle quickly.
Continue food and water hygiene precautions when travelling, as no vaccine is fully protective.

Evidence & guidelines

Use of hepatitis A vaccine for travellers and other at-risk groups follows recommendations in the UK immunisation guidance (the Green Book).

Reference: UK Green Book; Confirm identity and dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC) and NICE. Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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