Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine may prevent liver disease that may occur with infection due to hepatitis A and B viruses.

Infection with the heptitis A virus can cause the following: an infection of the liver that may or may not have symptoms (nausea, vomiting, dark urine, clay-colored stools, tiredness, fever, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes). The hepatitis A virus is spread through eating or drinking contaminated food or drink or by contact with infected people. Infection with the hepatitis B viruses can cause the following: inflammation of the liver that may go away within 6 months or a long-lasting infection that may cause liver disease and cancer of the liver. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood or other bodily fluids from other people.

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine does not contain live virus. It works by triggering the body to produce antibodies to the virus to provide a defense against potential infection.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine comes as a suspension (liquid) to be given intramuscuarly (into a muscle) by a healthcare provider.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine is given as 3 doses given at 0, 1, and 6 months. Alternatively, hepatitis A and hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine may be given as a rapid schedule of 4 doses on days 0, 7, and 21 to 30, followed by a booster dose at month 12.

Tell your vaccine provider if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to this vaccine, any part of this vaccine, any other vaccine or any drug, food or substance. Tell your vaccine provider about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• have an illness with fever, are immunocompromised due to a medical condition or are taking immunosuppressive medications.
• are pregnant or breast feeding.

In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone vaccination to a future visit.

Side effects that have been reported with hepatitis A and hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine include:

• soreness, redness, swelling at the site of injection
• headache
• tiredness

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• rash, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit https://vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff members do not give medical advice.

• Read the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) that your vaccine provider will give you or you can obtain it at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/current-vis/index.html
• Ask your healthcare provider.
• Call your local or state health department.

• Twinrix^®