Is it a live vaccine?
Twinrix® as a combination preparation is a dead vaccine for both Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Only dead components or dead pathogens are vaccinated. No component of the vaccine can cause an infection.
How often must I be vaccinated?
In order to achieve sufficient vaccination protection, the vaccine is administered in three doses over a period of six months. The responsible Vaccination Commission of the Robert Koch Institute gives different recommendations for the two infectious diseases. After vaccination against hepatitis A, a booster should be given after ten years.
The protective period for the hepatitis B vaccination is estimated to be at least fifteen years. According to the Robert Koch Institute, a booster is generally not necessary. If one is not sure, the vaccination protection can be determined by taking a blood sample and then refreshed if necessary.
As a rule, three vaccinations are given. The first vaccination is given on the date agreed with the doctor, the second one month later and the third vaccination is given six months after the first vaccination. For adults who need quick vaccination protection, for example due to travel, all three vaccinations can also be given in one month. Then, however, twelve months after the first, a fourth vaccination is recommended to ensure sufficient and safe vaccination protection.
For whom is the vaccination useful?
The vaccination is particularly useful in its combination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B for people who travel a lot (especially to tropical and subtropical areas) and for medical personnel.
When does vaccination start?
Sufficient vaccination protection exists only after multiple vaccinations. For this reason, on the advice of the Permanent Vaccination Commission of the Robert Koch Institute, three vaccinations are given in a period of six months, as already mentioned.
What are the costs of the vaccination?
The cost of the Twinrix vaccination is about 60 Euros per dose, depending on the pharmacy. Three doses, in some cases four, are needed for optimal immunization. Most health insurance companies follow the guidelines of the Standing Commission on Vaccination (STIKO) when covering the costs of individual vaccinations.
This commission determines which vaccinations are required according to the current state of scientific knowledge. Here the recommendation for hepatitis B is fixed, for hepatitis A there is only the recommendation as travel vaccination. For this reason, the vaccination for hepatitis A is in most cases not covered by health insurance. Since Twinrix® is a combination preparation, this is not necessarily covered. It is worth asking your health insurance company before the vaccination.
