The hepatitis A vaccine is now a part of the CDC childhood immunization schedule and is routinely given to toddlers as a two dose series, with the first dose being given as early as 12-months of age and then second dose six-months later. Although the exact timing of when they get the shots may vary depending on when they get other vaccines, most toddlers finish the series by the time they are two-years-old.
This universal hepatitis A vaccine recommendation began in 2006. Previously, children were just vaccinated if they were at high risk for a hepatitis A infection (1996 recommendation) or depending on where they lived (1999 recommendation).
The 1999 recommendation included guidelines for all children in 11 high risk states (Arizona, Alaska, Oregon, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Idaho, Nevada, and California) to be vaccinated. It also recommended that children in 6 additional states (Missouri, Texas, Colorado, Arkansas, Montana, and Wyoming), with above average rates for hepatitis A, be considered for vaccination.
Not surprisingly, the universal hepatitis A vaccine recommendation led to increased vaccine rates in younger children. While only 40% of toddlers had received two doses of hepatitis A vaccine in 2008, vaccine coverage was up to about 50% in 2010.
The CDC also recommends the hepatitis A vaccine "for children aged older than 23 months who live in areas where vaccination programs target older children, who are at increased risk for infection, or for whom immunity against hepatitis A is desired."
Also, hepatitis A vaccination coverage isn't as good in older children who don't have a universal vaccine recommendation. A new study that will appear in the February issue of Pediatrics, "Hepatitis A Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents in the United States," has found that only about 29% of teens have received two doses of hepatitis A vaccine.
Rates are higher in the states that were a part of the 1999 recommendations though - 60% for the high risk states and 38% for the above average risk states. Unfortunately, for the other 33 states that were not a part of the 1999 recommendations, hepatitis A vaccine coverage rates for teens is only 16%.
Since the hepatitis A virus can cause acute liver disease that can last several months and you can get it from eating contaminated food and drinks, including fruits, vegetables, shellfish, ice, water, and restaurant outbreaks, etc., it is likely a good idea to ask your pediatrician about getting this vaccine.
Vaccination is also a good idea if you think your teen will be traveling to countries with a high rate of hepatitis A infections, such as Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, or South-East Asia.
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High Risk Foods
Updated Hepatitis A Vaccine Recommendations
History of Vaccines
Vaccine Preventable Diseases
