Hepatitis A Vaccine UK
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious virus that can lead to liver inflammation. It typically spreads through food or water contaminated by human waste or by direct contact with someone who is infected.
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. While the disease is usually mild, its severity tends to increase with age.
Children often experience the infection without symptoms, whereas 70–80% of infected adults may develop jaundice.
In young children, symptoms are typically mild or nonexistent, but the disease becomes more serious with age. Recovery can take from a few weeks to several months. Immunity following a hepatitis A infection is lifelong.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A
Symptoms of hepatitis A infection may include:
Common symptoms include:
High fever
Flu Like symptoms
Nausea or vomiting
Upper abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea or constipation
Pale yellow or grey stools
Dark brown urine
hives
jaundice
Most children, and some adults, may experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that spreads through faecal matter, and certain travellers are at a higher risk of contracting the infection. You can contract hepatitis A through:
- Drinking contaminated water
- Consuming food that has been washed or grown in contaminated water
- Eating food handled by an infected person
- Having close physical contact with an infected person, including sexual activity and sharing needles for drug use
- Staying with or visiting the local population
- Travelling to regions with poor sanitation and food hygiene
- Exposure to the virus through occupational activities
- Visiting areas experiencing hepatitis A outbreaks where access to clean water and medical care is limited
How long will each appointment take?
Each appointment will take around 30 minutes.
Regions with high levels of hepatitis A infection typically include low-income countries where sanitary conditions and hygiene practices may be inadequate. These areas include:
- The Indian subcontinent
- SubSaharan and North Africa
- Parts of the Far East
- South and Central America
- The Middle East
Next Day Appointments are Available
Unsure which type of service you require?
If you feel confused regarding which travel vaccine you require for your holiday, you can book an appointment at the The Care Pharmacy Travel Clinic Leeds.
How to get vaccinated for Hepatitis A?
Book an appointment & pay online
Fill an online form and select a time slot to save time at your appointment.
Get Your First Dose
Get a free consultation in our clinic, discuss your course options with our healthcare experts and receive your first vaccination.
Follow-up Dose(s)
You’ll get to know about followup doses during your first appointment.
FAQs
Hepatitis A is typically contracted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. It is prevalent in regions with inadequate sanitation systems and limited access to clean food and water, where it can spread rapidly and cause sudden epidemics.
After completing the two dose series of the hepatitis A vaccine, protection is expected to last for 25 years. A booster is generally not required unless you are at ongoing risk.
Some individuals may experience temporary soreness, redness, or hardening at the injection site following the hepatitis A vaccine. A small, painless lump may also develop but usually disappears quickly and is not cause for concern. Less common side effects include:
- Slightly raised temperature
- Feeling unwell
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
To help prevent hepatitis A while travelling, you should:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing and eating food
- Drink bottled water
- Avoid eating shellfish and uncooked fruits and vegetables
- Use a condom or dental dam during sexual activity
If your job puts you at risk, your employer should arrange for your hepatitis A vaccination.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis A. In the UK, hepatitis A vaccines are not routinely offered because the risk of infection is low. However, vaccination is necessary if you are at high risk of contracting or becoming seriously ill from hepatitis A, such as if:
- You are travelling to a region where hepatitis A is common (you may need to pay for the vaccine for travel)
- You have recently been in close physical contact with someone with hepatitis A
- You have a long term liver disease
- You have a blood clotting disorder, such as haemophilia
- You are a man who has sex with men
- Your job increases your risk of infection, such as if you are a healthcare worker or sewage worker
To ease the symptoms of hepatitis A and prevent spreading the infection, you should:
Do:
- Limit contact with others for seven days after symptoms start, or seven days after jaundice appears (adults should stay off work, and children should stay home from school or nursery)
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids
- Take painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol (ask your doctor about the appropriate dosage, as you may need to avoid the normal dose of paracetamol)
- Keep your room well ventilated, wear loose fitting clothing, and avoid hot baths or showers if you feel itchy
- Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet
Don’t:
- Do not drink alcohol
- Do not prepare food or drinks for others
- Do not have sex without a condom or dental dam until you are no longer infectious
- Do not share needles with others
No matter your destination, the Care Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Leeds and Bradford is committed to ensuring your safety and protection throughout your journey.
The hepatitis A vaccine is typically administered as an initial injection, followed by a second dose 6 to 12 months later. Two doses should provide protection for at least 25 years.
The hepatitis A vaccine is usually available for free on the NHS for anyone who needs it.
Ready to Get Vaccinated?
