Where to get hepatitis shots

Children need 2 doses of hepatitis A vaccine: First dose: 12 through 23 months of age Second dose: at least 6 months after the first dose Infants 6 through 11 months old traveling outside the United States when protection against hepatitis A is recommended should receive 1 dose of hepatitis A vaccine. Hepatitis A vaccine is also recommended for the following people: International travelers Men who have sexual contact with other men People who use injection or non-injection drugs People who have occupational risk for infection People who anticipate close contact with an international adoptee People experiencing homelessness People with HIV People with chronic liver disease In addition, a person who has not previously received hepatitis A vaccine and who has direct contact with someone with hepatitis A should get hepatitis A vaccine as soon as possible and within 2 weeks after exposure.

Hepatitis A vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines. Talk with your health care provider. Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting the vaccine: Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of hepatitis A vaccine , or has any severe, life-threatening allergies In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone hepatitis A vaccination until a future visit.

Your health care provider can give you more information. Risks of a vaccine reaction. Soreness or redness where the shot is given, fever, headache, tiredness, or loss of appetite can happen after hepatitis A vaccination. What if there is a serious problem? For other signs that concern you, call your health care provider. How can I learn more? Ask your health care provider. Call your local or state health department. Visit the website of the Food and Drug Administration FDA external icon for vaccine package inserts and additional information at fda.

Office Use Only. Related Link. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Hepatitis A Questions and Answers for the Public. Minus Related Pages.

Index of Questions Overview. What is hepatitis? What is the difference between hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C? What is hepatitis A? How serious is hepatitis A? How common is hepatitis A in the United States? Are cases of hepatitis A increasing in the United States? How is hepatitis A spread? Who is at risk for hepatitis A? What should I do if I think I have been exposed to hepatitis A virus? Can I prevent infection after an exposure to the hepatitis A virus?

If I have had hepatitis A in the past, can I get it again? How long does hepatitis A virus survive outside the body? What are the symptoms of hepatitis A? Can a person spread hepatitis A virus without having symptoms?

How is hepatitis A diagnosed? How is hepatitis A treated? How can I protect myself against hepatitis A? Who should get vaccinated against hepatitis A? How is the hepatitis A vaccine given? Is the hepatitis A vaccine effective? Is the hepatitis A vaccine safe? Who should not receive the hepatitis A vaccine? What is immune globulin? Will the hepatitis A vaccine protect me from other forms of hepatitis? Is it harmful to have an extra dose of hepatitis A vaccine or to repeat the entire hepatitis A vaccine series?

What should be done if the last dose of hepatitis A vaccine is delayed? Where can I get the hepatitis A vaccine? Hepatitis A Vaccine and International Travel. Who should get the hepatitis A vaccine before traveling internationally? How soon before travel should I get the hepatitis A vaccine? What should I do if I am traveling internationally but cannot receive hepatitis A vaccine? Overview What is hepatitis? Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, short-term liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus.

People at increased risk for hepatitis A International travelers Men who have sex with men People who use or inject drugs all those who use illegal drugs People with occupational risk for exposure People who anticipate close personal contact with an international adoptee People experiencing homelessness People at increased risk for severe disease from hepatitis A infection People with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C People with HIV What should I do if I think I have been exposed to hepatitis A virus?

Once you recover from hepatitis A, you develop antibodies, protecting you for life. Symptoms What are the symptoms of hepatitis A? If symptoms develop, they can include: Yellow skin or eyes Not wanting to eat Upset stomach Throwing up Stomach pain Fever Dark urine or light- colored stools Diarrhea Joint pain Feeling tired Can a person spread hepatitis A virus without having symptoms?

The hepatitis A vaccine can be given to people with compromised immune systems. No, getting extra doses of hepatitis A vaccine is not harmful. Hepatitis A. The birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine is an important part of preventing long-term illness in infants and the spread of hepatitis B in the United States. Children and adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not yet gotten the vaccine should also be vaccinated.

Adults who were not vaccinated previously and want to be protected against hepatitis B can also get the vaccine. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given as a stand-alone vaccine, or as part of a combination vaccine a type of vaccine that combines more than one vaccine together into one shot. In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone hepatitis B vaccination until a future visit. Pregnant or breastfeeding people should be vaccinated if they are at risk for getting hepatitis B.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding are not reasons to avoid hepatitis B vaccination. People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting hepatitis B vaccine.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears. As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.

An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness , call and get the person to the nearest hospital.

Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Claims regarding alleged injury or death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, which may be as short as two years.