Hepatitis A vaccination for children

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A, commonly known as jaundice or dirty hands disease, is an acute infectious disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). The infection is usually milder in children than in adults and most often occurs as a result of consuming contaminated food, water or poor hygiene. The infection spreads quickly in public places such as kindergartens and preschools. Due to possible contact with peers who are carriers of hepatitis A or contact with infected objects (e.g. toys, school supplies), children are more susceptible to developing the disease, which often requires hospitalisation.

Who should be vaccinated?

Vaccination is particularly recommended for:

• pre-schoolers, schoolchildren and young adults who have not previously had hepatitis A;
• children and young adults travelling to countries with a high incidence of hepatitis A and poor hygiene and sanitary conditions, such as Bulgaria, Tunisia, Egypt, Russia, countries in the Mediterranean basin, Africa and Eastern Europe.

Who is the vaccine designed for?

Vaccine against hepatitis A is designed to provide active immunity in children between 1 and 15 years of age. Young adults under 18 years of age can also be vaccinated.

Vaccination procedure

The vaccine is administered intramuscularly.

In order to achieve immune response in children and young adults, the vaccine is administered in a single dose (primary vaccination). It is recommended to administer a booster dose preferably 6-12 months (5 years at the latest) after the first dose.

For optimal antibody levels, the primary vaccination should be completed at least two, but preferably four weeks before expected exposure to hepatitis A virus.

What does the vaccine contain?

The vaccine contains inactivated hepatitis A virus.

How long does the vaccine provide protection?

Following two doses of the vaccine, the duration of protection in children is expected to be similar to the estimated duration of immunity in adults. Current research suggests that patients with normal immune response who have been vaccinated with two doses do not need additional booster vaccination. Two doses of the vaccine provide immunity for life.

The vaccination may cause side effects

The most commonly reported side effects in children are:

• pain and redness at the injection site;
• irritability;
• drowsiness;
• headaches;

Contraindications to vaccination include:

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance, any of the excipients, neomycin or formaldehyde;
• It is recommended to postpone vaccination in children with acute, severe illness accompanied by fever. Mild infections or common colds are not contraindications to vaccination.

IMPORTANT! Please book an appointment with a paediatrician or family doctor at least 6-8 weeks before your departure to qualify for the vaccination. If your healthcare plan does not include an appointment with a travel medicine physician, you should buy the vaccination qualification separately.

Make sure you book your vaccination appointment within 3 months of the date shown on your order confirmation.

1. First, select the city/town and Medicover Medical Centre where you wish to be vaccinated.

   IMPORTANT: The vaccination does not include a vaccination qualification appointment. If this is not included in the healthcare plan, patients should purchase the vaccination qualification separately.

2. After paying for the vaccination package, please book a Vaccine Qualification appointment - this is mandatory before any vaccine is administered. The vaccination will take place immediately after the qualification appointment. Book your appointment at the reception of the Medicover Medical Centre or call the Medicover hotline on +48 500 900 550.
3. If the doctor does not qualify you for the vaccination, you will need to book a follow-up appointment on a date specified by the doctor. This follow-up appointment will be charged extra, unless it is already included in your healthcare package.

IMPORTANT: Please book a vaccination qualification appointment with a paediatrician or family doctor, who can determine whether there are any contraindications to vaccination or recommend an alternative vaccine.