Hepatitis A + B
What is the Hepatitis A + B Vaccine?
A combined vaccine that protects against:
- Hepatitis A: a short-term liver infection from contaminated food or water
- Hepatitis B: a liver infection that can become long-term and cause serious complications
How are They Spread?
- Hep A: contaminated food, water, or poor hygiene
- Hep B: infected blood or bodily fluids (unprotected sex, needles, mother to baby)
Who is at Risk?
- Travellers to countries with poor sanitation and high infection rates
- Healthcare and emergency workers
- People with multiple sexual partners or who share needles
- Those with chronic liver conditions
Signs and Symptoms:
- Hep A: fever, nausea, jaundice, dark urine
- Hep B: fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, joint pain
- Hep B can lead to long-term liver damage
When to Consider Vaccination:
- Before travel to high-risk regions
- For healthcare, childcare, and sanitation workers
- If at higher personal risk (sexually active, injecting drugs)
- If you have liver disease
The Vaccine:
- 3-dose series over 6 months
- Accelerated schedule available for last-minute travel
- Safe and well-tolerated
- Long-lasting protection (20+ years) for both Hep A and B
Do
- Complete the full vaccination schedule (including boosters if advised) before your trip
- Consider the combined vaccine if you need both and want fewer injections
- Practice good hygiene and safe food/water habits while abroad
Do not
- Rely on a single dose for full protection
- Assume you’re protected against both if you only had one of the two
- Delay vaccination if travelling to areas with known hepatitis outbreaks