Hepatitis A Virus Vaccine, Inactivated, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

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. People who work in day-care centers with children who are not toilet trained, health-care workers, and many laboratory workers should be immunized. Travelers to Asia, Africa, many European countries, South America, and Mexico are at greater risk of getting this disease unless they are immunized.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before receiving the shots, tell your health care provider if you:

• have a severe infection with a high fever
• have a bleeding disorder or immune system problems such as being HIV positive. You may need additional vaccinations.
• have had an allergic reaction to this vaccine before.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These shots are given by your health care provider. A booster may be given 6 to 12 months after the first one to increase the immunity. Keep all appointments for vaccinations to be sure that you are protected.

What should I watch out for?

Rarely, this medicine can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing). This reaction can occur immediately after the shot, or after you leave your health care provider. If you develop any of these symptoms, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.

You may have soreness, irritation, or pain on the skin where the injection is given. If this continues or becomes severe, call your health care provider.

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 health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you are unable to reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, trouble breathing).

Other: Fatigue, fever, sick feeling, headache, nausea, loss of appetite.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported. However, talk to your health care provider if you are taking any blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin). Other vaccines can be given at the same time without interfering with this vaccine.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care 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 health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.