Tenderness and warmth and pain at the injection site were the most frequently reported side effects. Most of these events occurred in adults, and about one third have occurred in persons receiving other vaccines concurrently. For serious adverse events for which background incidence data are known, the rates for vaccine recipients are not higher than those that would be expected in an unvaccinated population. Because Vaqta was recently licensed, postmarketing data are limited. Any adverse event suspected to be associated with hepatitis A vaccination should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System.
Immune globulin is recommended for travelers under two years of age.
Prevaccination testing should be considered for older travelers or for younger persons in certain populations. Travelers should receive the first vaccine dose at least four weeks before travel. A second dose six to 18 months later is necessary for long-term protection. If the dose is given less than four weeks before travel, the traveler should also receive immune globulin, but at a different anatomic injection site. Children in communities that have high rates of hepatitis A and periodic hepatitis A outbreaks .