Hepatitis A Vaccine

Before the hepatitis A vaccine became widely available, outbreaks of hepatitis A were much more common in the United States and often spread through contaminated food, water, or close contact between people.

The virus affects the liver and can cause fever, fatigue, stomach pain, nausea, jaundice, and missed school or work for weeks.

Large community outbreaks occurred regularly, especially in childcare settings and crowded environments. While many children recovered, some people developed severe illness requiring hospitalization.

After routine hepatitis A vaccination was introduced, infection rates dropped dramatically and outbreaks became far less common. Vaccination continues to help protect children, families, and communities by reducing the spread of disease.

If you are unsure whether your child is up to date on hepatitis A vaccination, call us so we can review their vaccine record with you.