Hepatitis A Virus Vaccine, Inactivated, Injection hep-ah-TY-tiss A VY-rus vak-SEEN in-AK-ti-vay-ted

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vaccine

Generic and brand names: hepatitis A vaccine, inactivated, injection; Havrix; VAQTA

What is this medicine used for?

This vaccine is given by injection (shots) to provide protection against infection by the hepatitis A virus. This virus is very contagious and affects people of all ages.

The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all children over 1 year of age. It is also recommended for people at risk for hepatitis A infection, such as:

• workers who handle live viruses, human waste, or sewage
• healthcare workers, public safety workers, and prison inmates who might be exposed to infected blood or body fluids
• people in the military
• people with blood clotting disorders
• people who have unprotected sex with an infected person
• people who inject illegal drugs
• people with chronic liver disease
• people who live with someone who has hepatitis A
• people who live in, are traveling to, or are adopting a child from areas where hepatitis A virus is common

Shots of this vaccine will not be effective if you are already infected with HAV. It will not protect you against other types of hepatitis or liver disease.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before receiving this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine or vaccine, or to latex
• a bleeding disorder, or if you currently take anticoagulant medicine (medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming) such as clopidogrel (Plavix) or warfarin (Coumadin)
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or cancer, or from taking chemotherapy, radiation therapy, medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection, or steroid medicines
• hepatitis A infection before

If you are severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled, wait until you recover before getting this vaccine. If you have a mild cold or mild upper respiratory infection with or without fever, you may still be able to get your shot. Tell your healthcare provider if you currently have an infection of any kind.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These shots are given by your healthcare provider. Two shots are given 6 to 12 months apart or 6 to 18 months apart, depending on the vaccine used. Travelers should receive shots at least 1 month before travel to be protected against the virus. Your healthcare provider will tell you how many shots you will need and when you should get them.

Keep all appointments for vaccinations to be sure that you are protected. If a shot is missed or you get behind schedule, get the missed shot as soon as possible.

This vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

What should I watch out for?

You may have soreness, irritation, or pain on the skin where the injection is given. If this continues for more than a couple of days or becomes severe, call your healthcare provider.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to contact your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): High fever; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual behavior.

Other: Tiredness; fever; irritation, redness, or pain at the spot where the shot was given; headache; nausea; muscle aches; loss of appetite; irritability.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or medicines to treat cancer
• corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Orapred), prednisone, and triamcinolone (Aristospan, Kenalog)
• immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral), mycophenolate (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf)

Keep a record of all vaccines received and when you received them.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.