Hepatitis A is a highly infectious food- and water-borne virus that causes inflammation of the liver. Symptoms develop slowly, and you could find yourself unwell with hepatitis A after your return from travel. This may mean you have to take time off work.
Luckily, there are steps you can take to avoid hep A, including getting vaccinated before you travel and learning how to avoid exposure to the hepatitis A virus (HAV).
When should I make an appointment to get vaccinated against hepatitis A?
We recommend making a travel health appointment with us six to eight weeks before travel. This is because some vaccines – including hepatitis A – are given in multiple doses spread across a few weeks.
Making an appointment for travel health early means that you will have time to get all the doses in before you go away. We can still help you if you are travelling last minute or in an emergency. Come and see us, and we will see what we can do to protect your health and peace of mind while abroad.
Which travellers should get the hepatitis A vaccine?
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for travellers aged over six months visiting places with intermediate or high risk of transmission.
Do I need a hepatitis A booster for my trip abroad?
Frequent travellers can get a booster for hep A six months after the first dose. This will give 25 years of protection, which is great value for money!
How much does the hepatitis A vaccine cost?
Vaccine prices go up and down frequently, but we always aim to offer a competitively priced hepatitis A vaccination service. You can check current vaccine costs on our price pages:
- Alberta travel vaccine price list
- Ontario travel vaccine price list
- British Columbia travel vaccine price list
Do I need to get vaccinated against hep A if I’m staying in a four-star hotel?
It is possible to get infected with hepatitis A in four-star hotels. So even if you are staying in high-end or luxury accommodation, if there is an intermediate or high risk of hep A transmission in the region you are visiting, then healthcare professionals are likely to recommend the hepatitis A vaccine.
Can I get a last-minute hepatitis A vaccination?
The hepatitis A vaccine is given in two spaced doses. But we can help with vaccines even if you’re travelling on short notice. Come and see us and we will give you advice relevant to your specific needs.
Learn more about from the government of Canada how healthcare professionals can support you in avoiding hepatitis A.
If I’ve been vaccinated against hepatitis A, can I eat and drink what I like while travelling?
Other diseases that are not vaccine preventable can be caught from eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water. The hepatitis A vaccine will reduce the risk of you getting sick from hepatitis A, but it will not protect you from other viruses, bacteria and parasites. So it’s important to familiarize yourself with best practices in relation to food and drink when travelling.
Eat in clean cafes and restaurants, and opt for hot, freshly cooked food where possible. Drink safe water – that is, water that you know has been treated to make it safe for drinking, or water from factory-sealed bottles.
You can read more about avoiding food-borne illness in our article; and we also have an article about avoiding water-borne diseases.
Will the hepatitis B vaccine protect me from hepatitis A?
Hepatitis B and hepatitis A are two different viruses, and the vaccine for one will not protect you from the other. There is a combined vaccine for hepatitis A and B called Twinrix, which can represent good value for some travellers.