Hepatitis A Vaccine

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Hepatitis A vaccine became available for children aged 12-23 months in 2005, allowing for its incorporation into the routine early childhood vaccination schedule. Hepatitis A vaccine is now recommended for universal administration to all infants beginning at 12 months of age. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation is for children to receive the first dose of a two-dose series of hepatitis A vaccine between one and two years of age and that the vaccine be integrated into the routine childhood vaccination schedule. The following recommendations for hepatitis A vaccination are intended to further reduce hepatitis A morbidity and mortality in the United States. Nationwide hepatitis A vaccination of children is likely to result in lower overall rates of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) transmission and elimination of indigenous HAV. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended routinely for children, for persons who are at increased risk for infection, and for any person wishing to obtain immunity.

Children

• All children should receive hepatitis A vaccine at age 1 year (i.e., 12-23 months). Vaccination should be completed according to the licensed schedules and integrated into the routine childhood vaccination schedule. Children who are not vaccinated by age 2 years can be vaccinated at subsequent visits.
• States, counties, and communities with existing hepatitis A vaccination programs for children aged 2-18 years are encouraged to maintain these programs. In these areas, new efforts focused on routine vaccination of children aged 1 year should enhance, not replace, ongoing programs directed at a broader population of children.
• In areas without existing hepatitis A vaccination programs, catch-up vaccination of unvaccinated children aged 2-18 years can be considered. Such programs might especially be warranted in the context of increasing incidence or ongoing outbreaks among children or adolescents.

Please Note: The Bureau of lmmunization will provide Hepatitis A vaccine to all VFC-eligible children for whom the vaccine is indicated. You may view the ACIP for Hepatitis A vaccine in its entirety at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5507.pdf [PDF 1.2 MB]. The ACIP recommendations are found at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/ACIP-list.htm