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Hepatitis A Vaccine

Protect yourself and your community against Hepatitis A at your local Blooms The Chemist. Book your vaccination now.

Hepatitis A Vaccination

Protect yourself and your community against Hepatitis A at your local Blooms The Chemist.

 

Book your vaccination now.

Hepatitis A Vaccination

Protect yourself and your community against Hepatitis A at your local Blooms The Chemist. Book your vaccination now.

Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects your liver, with symptoms lasting several weeks.

Here are three things you need to know about Hepatitis A, which is also available in a combination vaccination.

Anyone can be infected with Hepatitis A as it is highly infectious and can survive on skin, in food and on surfaces for several hours1.

It’s spread when traces of faeces (poo) that contain the virus contaminate food, drinks, objects and people1.

Hepatitis A is now uncommon in Australia1, with most cases reported in travellers or food related outbreaks (such as contaminated shellfish).

Vaccination is the best protection against Hepatitis A.

 

Book your vaccine* with your local Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist today.

*Minimum age restrictions apply. Speak to your Pharmacist about the minimum age for child vaccinations. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (parent or guardian must bring photo ID as proof of guardianship).

 

1Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Hepatitis A in Australia, accessed 2 February 2023

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects your liver and is highly infectious. It’s spread when traces of faeces (poo) containing the virus contaminate hands, water, food or objects.

 

Anyone can be infected with Hepatitis A if you ingest food, water or touch an object or person that is infected1.

 

Hepatitis A is common in developing countries where there is less access to clean water and sanitation, and outbreaks can occur in childcare centres as children under the age of five do not show any symptoms1.


1Better Health Victoria, Hepatitis A, accessed 2 February 2023

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?

Many infected people, especially children under the age of five years old, show few or no symptoms. However, for adults and older children, some symptoms can include1:

 

  • Fever

  • Nausea

  • Abdominal discomfort and pain on the right side where your liver is

  • Fatigue

  • Joint and muscle pains

  • Dark urine

  • Yellow skin and eyes (known as jaundice)


1Health Direct, Hepatitis A, accessed 2 February 2023

How do I get diagnosed with Hepatitis A?

You can be diagnosed with Hepatitis A after you get a blood test from your doctor1.

 

There is no medicine to treat Hepatitis A, but your doctor may recommend you get plenty of rest and fluids.

 

If you are an adult and diagnosed with Hepatitis A, it’s recommended that you should not drink any alcohol while you are diagnosed to protect your liver.


1Health Direct, Hepatitis A, accessed 2 February 2023

How can I avoid getting Hepatitis A?

Getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A is the most important action you can take to avoid getting it1.

 

It’s also important to practise strict personal hygiene, such as washing your hands with soap and hot running water before handling food or going to the bathroom and boiling your drinking water if it comes from an untreated source, such as a river.

 

When you are travelling overseas, you can avoid getting Hepatitis A by being vaccinated before you leave the country and being careful with your selection of food. This includes only drinking bottled water with an unbroken seal, making sure you avoid eating shellfish or food from street vendors and avoiding raw food, such as fruit or salad that’s been prepared with contaminated water1.


1Better Health Victoria, Hepatitis A, accessed 2 February 2023

What is the Hepatitis A vaccine?

The Hepatitis A vaccine is administered by injection and is your best protection against Hepatitis A. Two doses are recommended for full immunisation.

 

Although the spread of Hepatitis A in most regions of Australia has dropped to low levels due to the supply of clean water, sewerage and improved hygiene, there is still a risk of catching it if you are unvaccinated1.


1Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Hepatitis A in Australia, accessed 2 February 2023

What are some common side effects of the Hepatitis A vaccine?

Some common side effects of the vaccine include1:

 

  • Pain, redness and swelling at the injection side

  • Headaches

  • Fever

 

1Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Hepatitis A vaccine, accessed 2 February 2023

Is it recommended that I get the Hepatitis A vaccine?

The Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended from the age of 12 months, but the following people are high-risk and should consider vaccination1:

 

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia at the age of 18 months and 4 years of age

  • Plumbers and sewage workers

  • People who inject drugs

  • People who live in correctional facilities

  • People living with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C

  • People who work in early childhood education and care

  • People who live or work in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia

  • People with developmental disabilities and their carers

  • People with long-term liver disease

  • People who have had a liver transplant

 

At Blooms The Chemist, this vaccine is available in NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS and VIC. If you want to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and live in another territory, please reach out to your local GP for more information.


1Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Immunisation Handbook: Hepatitis A, accessed 2 February 2023

Is the Hepatitis A vaccine free for me?

As part of the Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program (NIP), the Hepatitis A vaccine is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from the age of 18 months and four years who live in Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.

 

You can check here to see if you are eligible to receive a NIP funded vaccine.

 

If you are eligible for a vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), you may need to confirm with your selected Blooms The Chemist pharmacy about their NIP vaccine stock availability. Please note that there may be a service fee associated with a NIP vaccination.

Can I get a vaccination with Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B?

Yes, you can. Blooms The Chemist offers a Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B combination vaccine, which protects you against both types of Hepatitis.  

 

You don’t need a prescription to get this vaccine from participating Blooms The Chemist pharmacies. 

 

If you’d like to learn more about Hepatitis B, please click here.   

Can I get a vaccination with Hepatitis A and Typhoid?

Yes, you can. A combination vaccination reduces the number of vaccines you need while protecting you against the same number of

diseases.  

 

You don’t need a prescription to get this vaccine from participating Blooms The Chemist pharmacies. 

 

If you’d like to learn more about typhoid and it’s recommended you get vaccinated for it, please click here. 

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