The excerpt below is taken from Travel Health Online, for more detailed information about Hepatitis A, and the vaccine, click here.
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER HEPATITIS A VACCINE AND/OR IG
Hepatitis A vaccination or IG is recommended for all susceptible travelers to intermediate or high-risk areas, especially frequent, short-term or long-term international travelers. While hepatitis A vaccine is preferred to IG (for travelers 2 years of age and older), IG is an acceptable alternative.
- · In the United States, hepatitis A vaccine is not licensed for children under 2 years of age. However, the World Health Organization recommends giving the vaccine anytime from birth on, and many travel medicine practitioners recommend it for traveling children over 1 year of age.
Children are at a higher risk for developing hepatitis A, as are travelers who will be living in or visiting rural areas, trekking in back country, frequently eating or drinking in unsanitary settings, or having close contact with local inhabitants.
Travelers who plan to reside in risk areas for extended periods should either receive the hepatitis A vaccine or receive IG regularly (making sure it has been manufactured in an industrialized country).
Short-term travelers who rarely visit risk areas may consider vaccination with hepatitis A vaccine or immunization with IG before potential exposure. Your health care provider can help you decide which is best in your case.
In the United States, hepatitis A vaccine is now recommended for children 2-18 years of age who live in communities, counties, or states where the rate of hepatitis A infection is high. Check with your doctor or pediatrician.
WHO SHOULD NOT USE THE VACCINE
Who Should Not Receive Hepatitis A Vaccine or IG
The likelihood of exposure to hepatitis A increases with age and other risk factors, such as whether you've traveled to or lived in a high risk area. If you have a history of hepatitis A infection, and/or if you're over age 50, you should consider being tested for antibodies to hepatitis A. You may already be immune and not need the additional protection. However, if you've received blood or blood products in the past 6 months, be sure to tell your doctor; this could make antibodies show up on your screening test, but you may not really be immune.
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis A/B Vaccines
As a general rule, some people should not receive hepatitis A vaccine unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. Persons with hypersensitivity to any of the vaccine components, such as aluminum or aluminum hydroxide, or the preservative 2-phenoxyethanol should not be immunized. Be sure to discuss any allergies with your doctor. Because the vaccine's safety during pregnancy has not been evaluated, talk to your doctor if pregnancy is an issue and ask if your risk of contracting the disease justifies being vaccinated.
If you have a moderate or severe illness, your doctor is likely to postpone vaccination until you have recovered in order to minimize any potential adverse effects.
Hepatitis A vaccine is not licensed in the US for children under 2 years of age. However, the World Health Organization recommends giving the vaccine anytime from birth on, and many travel medicine practitioners recommend it for traveling children over 1 year of age.
There is a combined Hepatitis A/B vaccine available in the United States for adults > 18 years of age. A pediatric form of this vaccine is available in Canada and Europe.
Immune Globulin
If you have isolated immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency, you should not receive IG. Since IG is given by injection into the muscle, it also may not be advisable for persons who are prone to bleeding problems or who have a bleeding disorder, depending on the severity of their condition. Pregnant women or nursing mothers may receive IG if it is clearly needed.
IG contains a preservative called thimerosal, which has a very small amount of mercury. If you know from experience that you are allergic to mercury or thimerosal, be sure to mention this to your doctor before receiving IG. The fact that you have this allergy does not necessarily mean you cannot receive IG. Your doctor will make that decision with you and may want to take some additional precautions when giving you IG.