infectious diseases
Hepatitis A (HepA) Vaccine
Dose and Administration ofHepatitis A Vaccine
The HepA vaccine dose is 0.5 mL IM up to age 18 years or 1 mL IM for adults (age ≥ 19 years). Children are given a 2-dose series typically at age 12 to 23 months and 6 to 18 months after the first dose. Depending on the manufacturer, adults are given the vaccine in a 2-dose series at 0 and 6 to 12 months (Havrix) or 0 and 6 to 18 months (Vaqta). Or adults may be given the combination HepA and HepB vaccine on a 3-dose schedule: at 0, 1, and 6 months. The first and second doses should be separated by ≥ 4 weeks, and the second and third doses should be separated by ≥ 5 months. Alternatively, the vaccine may be given on an accelerated 4-dose schedule: on days 0, 7, and 21 to 30, followed by a booster 12 months after the first dose. As soon as an adoption of a child from an endemic area is planned, close contacts should be given the first dose of the 2-dosehepatitis A vaccineseries, ideally ≥ 2 weeks before the adopted child arrives. 