Vaccination against hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is an inflammatory disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The virus is transmitted faecal-orally, which means that it is either transmitted through food contaminated with faeces or through a smear infection, for example through the hands. It is possible to vaccinate against hepatitis A.
In principle, there are two different ways to vaccinate: active or passive. In active vaccination, the body is injected with virus components against which it then actively forms antibodies. The body can “memorize” this process, which means that when exposed to the right virus at a later date, the body reacts so quickly with antibodies that an infection cannot break out.
In passive vaccination, antibodies against the hepatitis A virus are injected directly. Since the body does not have to produce the antibodies itself, they are available more quickly, but the protection is not permanent because the body has not “learned” to produce the antibodies itself. The active vaccination against hepatitis A should be given to certain individuals who are at increased risk of infection for one of the following reasons The pure Hepatitis A vaccine is vaccinated twice at intervals of 6 to 12 months and then provides safe protection for about 10 years.
However, the combination with the hepatitis B vaccine is now used more frequently, with three vaccinations being required. The vaccination can be administered from the age of one. It is generally very well tolerated, in only a few cases there is fatigue, complaints at the injection site such as redness or fever.
There is also a combination with a vaccine against typhoid fever. The passive vaccination is only used in rare cases, for example in pregnant women (because the effects of the active vaccine on the unborn child have not yet been clarified), if there are allergies to components of the active vaccine, in immunocompromised persons or chronically ill persons. Here the effect lasts only about 3 months, but it can be applied to infants.
- Travel to countries with a high risk of infection (for example Africa, Central and South America and the Mediterranean region),
- Occupationally induced increased risk of infection (e.g. medical personnel, nursing staff or employees in kindergartens or day-care centers or in the food industry) or
- Chronic liver patients.
Twinrix® is a vaccine that protects the liver against infection with both hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Hepatitis A and B are caused by viruses, but have different transmission routes and disease courses. While hepatitis A is mainly transmitted through contaminated food such as water, hepatitis B is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse, but infection through needle-stick injuries or transmission at birth is also possible.
