Doctor
ASK THE
Introducing our new monthly feature, Ask the Doctor. Our healthcare partners
will be answering your questions. To submit a question, please email
[email protected].
Carrie Vey, MD,
FAAFP
Program Director, Halifax
Health Family Medicine
Residency Program & Sports
Medicine
What is the purpose,
benefits and risk
of the Hepatitis A
Vaccine? Why has
this become highly
suggested?
Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease, caused by the
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). HAV is spread person to person,
through contact with stool of those who are infected,
including if the infected person does not wash his or
her hands properly. Hepatitis A can also be transmitted
through contaminated food or water. Symptoms of
hepatitis A include nausea, vomiting, fever, severe
abdominal pain, diarrhea, and jaundice (yellowing of
the skin). Hepatitis A can cause liver failure and even
death, but this is more common in adults over 50 years
of age.
12 | F L A G L E R parent M A G A Z I N E
Although the vaccine has been available for over twenty
years, a recent outbreak of Hepatitis A in Florida has
increased the attention to the disease and interest in the
immunization. On August 1, 2019, the Florida Surgeon
General issued a Public Health Emergency in response to
the outbreak. There have been 2,540 cases of hepatitis
A in Florida since January 1 of this year. There are over
200 reported cases in Volusia County, which is the third
highest number of cases in the state of Florida. Flagler
County Health Department has reported eight cases so
far this year.
Since the Hepatitis A Vaccine became available in 1995,
the rates of Hepatitis A infection have decreased by
95%. The vaccine is an inactivated, or killed, vaccine;
there are no live or active components of the vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that
children receive two doses of the vaccine, starting as
early as 12 months of age. Adults can get the vaccine as
well, if they have not previously been vaccinated, if they
are traveling to a country where hepatitis A is common,
or if they have chronic liver disease. The hepatitis A
vaccine is considered very safe. Side effects to receiving
the vaccine may include soreness at the injection site,