Common and Extensive Side Effects of Hepatitis A Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 20,000 hepatitis A infections in the United States in 2020, with an estimated 19,900 cases potentially going unreported. Hepatitis A, a viral infection that primarily affects the liver, can lead to serious complications, such as liver failure, particularly in older adults.
Vaccination is an effective measure to prevent the transmission of the hepatitis A virus. The hepatitis A vaccine is generally safe and effective, but like any medication, it can have side effects.
Most side effects are mild and transient, typically resolving within 1 to 2 days. Common symptoms include nausea, low fever, malaise, headache, and loss of appetite. Other common side effects include soreness at the injection site, which may present as skin redness or discoloration, swelling, tenderness, warmth, and a hard bump.
However, rare neurological symptoms and immunological reactions have been reported. These may include dizziness, myalgia (muscle pain), rash, upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, pins and needles or numbness of the skin, arthralgia (joint pain), hypoaesthesia and paraesthesia (reduced sensation and abnormal sensations like tingling), influenza-like illness and chills, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), pruritus or urticaria (itchiness or hives), fatigue, and irritability.
Rare but serious side effects, which may require urgent medical attention, include severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, convulsions (seizures), severe skin reactions, sudden numbness or weakness, chest pain or discomfort, difficulty moving limbs, and difficulty breathing or swallowing.
It's important to note that some formulations of the hepatitis A vaccine in prefilled syringes have caps that contain latex, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
The FDA recommends healthcare professionals take steps to prevent injury, such as administering the vaccination to someone while they are sitting, to prevent fainting due to any vaccination. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also advises people who have experienced a previous reaction to neomycin, an allergic reaction to the first dose, or a reaction to any of the components of the vaccination to speak with a healthcare professional about whether they should receive the hepatitis A vaccine.
If a person experiences severe symptoms, such as those mentioned above, after receiving the hepatitis A vaccine, they should call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately for treatment.
The hepatitis A vaccine contains inactive viruses, making it impossible for the vaccine to cause the actual infection. By receiving the hepatitis A vaccine, people help prevent the transmission of the hepatitis A virus.
The CDC recommends the hepatitis A vaccination for children, people with chronic liver disease, international travelers, people with an occupational risk of exposure, people who use drugs recreationally, individuals experiencing homelessness, unvaccinated people in an area of outbreak, people adopting a child internationally, people living with HIV, and unvaccinated people with someone with hepatitis A.
People with a cold or another mild illness can still receive the hepatitis A vaccine in most cases, but may want to let a healthcare professional know in case they recommend rescheduling the vaccination.
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a national database for reporting allergic or adverse reactions to vaccines in the United States. If you experience any adverse reactions after receiving the hepatitis A vaccine, it's important to report them to VAERS.
In summary, while most side effects are mild and transient, rare neurological symptoms and immunological reactions are reported but uncommon with the hepatitis A vaccine. It's crucial to be aware of these side effects and seek immediate medical attention if necessary. Vaccination remains a vital tool in preventing hepatitis A infection and its potentially serious complications.
