Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine

Hepatitis A and B are serious illnesses caused by viruses. Hepatitis causes swelling of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death.

The hepatitis A and B vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in adults. The vaccine works by giving you a small dose of the virus, which helps your body build immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that you already have.

This vaccine is recommended for adults who are at risk for getting hepatitis A or B, including:

• having chronic liver problems, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis C, or needing a liver transplant;
• using intravenous (IV) drugs;
• living with someone who has either hepatitis A or B infection;
• having sexual contact with an infected person;
• having a blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
• being on dialysis or receiving blood transfusions;
• living in a correctional institution;
• being in the military or traveling to high-risk areas; and
• working in healthcare or public safety and being exposed to infected blood or body fluids.

Like any vaccine, the hepatitis A and B vaccine may not protect everyone from disease.

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.

The hepatitis A and B vaccine is given in a series of 3 shots. The booster shots are given 1 month and 6 months after the first shot.

If you have a high risk of hepatitis infection, you may be given 3 shots within 30 days, and a fourth shot 12 months after the first.

Your individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

Tell your doctor if you take other medicines or have any other medical conditions or allergies.

Hepatitis A and B vaccine will not protect you against infection with hepatitis C or E, or other viruses that affect the liver. It will also not protect you from hepatitis A or B if you are already infected with the virus, even if you do not yet have symptoms.

You should not receive this vaccine if you are allergic to yeast or neomycin, or if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing hepatitis A or hepatitis B.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an allergy to latex rubber; or
• a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicine).

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. If you have a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you feel better before receiving this vaccine.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects.

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

You may feel faint after receiving this vaccine. Some people have had seizure-like reactions after receiving this vaccine. Your doctor may want you to remain under observation during the first 15 minutes after the injection.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• numbness, pain, tingling, weakness, burning or prickly feeling, vision or hearing problems, trouble breathing;
• red or blistering skin rash; or
• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums).

Common side effects of hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine may include:

• redness or tenderness where the shot was given;
• headache; or
• tiredness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Usual Adult Dose for Hepatitis B Prophylaxis:

Primary immunization: 1 mL IM in the deltoid area at 0, 1 and 6 months.Alternatively, a 4 dose schedule given on days 0, 7, and 21 to 30 followed by a booster at month 12 may be used.

Usual Adult Dose for Hepatitis A Prophylaxis:

Primary immunization: 1 mL IM in the deltoid area at 0, 1 and 6 months.Alternatively, a 4 dose schedule given on days 0, 7, and 21 to 30 followed by a booster at month 12 may be used.

Contact your doctor if you miss a booster dose or if you fall behind on your schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start the series over.

Make sure to receive all recommended doses of this vaccine, or you may not be fully protected against disease.

An overdose of this vaccine is not likely to happen.

Follow your doctor's instructions regarding any limits on food, drinks, or activities.

Before getting this vaccine, inform the doctor about all other vaccines you have had recently.

Also, let the doctor know if you have recently taken any drugs or treatments that can weaken your immune system, including:

• steroid medicine;
• cancer treatments;
• medicine for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or
• medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.

If you are using any of these medications, you might not be able to receive the vaccine, or you may need to wait until your other treatments are completed.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may influence the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are included here.