Hepatitis A can be prevented by immunization and protects against the virus in more than 95% of cases.  Two doses of the vaccine are needed for lasting protection and are given 6-18 months apart.

Protection against Hepatitis A begins approximately two to four weeks after the first injection.  A second injection results in long-term protection.

Immunization is recommended for women who:

• Have chronic or long-term liver disease
• Are household members or caregivers of a person infected with Hepatitis A
• Have clotting-factor disorders, such as hemophilia
• Travel to or live in countries where Hepatitis A is common.
• Have sexual contact with someone who has Hepatitis A
• Use certain illegal drugs, whether injected or not
• Work with Hepatitis A virus in a research laboratory or with animals infected with the virus.
• Simply wish to be protected from the disease whether they have risk factors or not