The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for anyone travelling to a country where hepatitis A is common, as well as certain groups in the UK who are at increased risk of infection or its complications. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection spread primarily through contaminated food and water, and it is prevalent across much of Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Vaccination is the most reliable way to protect yourself, and the two-dose course provides long-lasting immunity that is considered to last for at least 25 years in most people. Whether you need the hepatitis A vaccine for an upcoming trip or for clinical or occupational reasons, the team at G.M. Graham Pharmacies in Essex is here to help with no GP referral required.
Key takeaways
- The hepatitis A vaccine is strongly recommended for travellers visiting high-risk destinations across Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
- Certain non-traveller groups are also advised to vaccinate, including people with chronic liver disease, men who have sex with men, and those working in healthcare or food preparation in high-risk settings.
- The vaccine is given as a two-dose course, with the second dose administered six to twelve months after the first.
- A single dose provides protection for at least one year and is sufficient for most travel purposes — the second dose extends immunity to at least 25 years.
- The hepatitis A vaccine can be given as a standalone jab or as a combined vaccine with hepatitis B or typhoid.
- Ideally, vaccination should be completed at least two weeks before travel, though even a last-minute dose provides useful protection.
The Importance of Hepatitis A Vaccination
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Unlike hepatitis B and C, it does not cause chronic liver disease, but it can result in a severely debilitating acute illness lasting several weeks or even months. Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and fever — and in older adults or those with pre-existing liver conditions, the consequences can be serious and, in rare cases, life-threatening.
The virus is transmitted through the faecal-oral route, most commonly via contaminated food and water. Raw shellfish, salads, and fruit washed in contaminated water are among the most common sources of infection for travellers. Person-to-person transmission is also possible, particularly in settings with poor sanitation. Crucially, the infection can be contracted even in good hotels and restaurants in high-risk countries, which is why vaccination is recommended regardless of travel style or standard of accommodation. Get in touch to book a travel health consultation at G.M. Graham Pharmacies in Essex today to ensure you receive the most appropriate vaccinations for your destination and individual health needs.
Who is Recommended to Get the Hepatitis A Vaccine?
The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for a wide range of people in the UK, both travellers and non-travellers. Understanding whether you fall into one of the recommended groups is the first step to ensuring you are properly protected.
Travellers heading to any country where hepatitis A is endemic should be vaccinated as a matter of course. This includes most of sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, parts of the Middle East, and certain areas of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Even short trips to popular tourist destinations in these regions carry a risk — the infection does not discriminate based on the quality of your hotel or your travel experience.
Non-traveller groups for whom vaccination is also recommended include people with chronic liver disease (including those with hepatitis B or C), men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs, those with clotting factor disorders, individuals who may be exposed to the virus through their work (such as healthcare workers, sewage workers, and those working in food preparation in high-risk settings), and people travelling to visit friends and relatives (VFR travellers) in countries where the virus is endemic. VFR travellers are a particularly important group as they are statistically less likely to seek pre-travel health advice and may have a false sense of immunity due to childhood exposure in their country of origin. If you fall into any of these groups, contact us to book your hepatitis A vaccination at G.M. Graham Pharmacies in Essex today and make sure you are protected before you travel or before your risk increases.
How Does the Hepatitis A Vaccine Work?
The hepatitis A vaccine contains an inactivated (killed) form of the hepatitis A virus. When injected, it stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the virus without causing infection. These antibodies remain in the body and provide protection if you are subsequently exposed to the live virus.
The vaccine is given as a two-dose course. The first dose is sufficient to provide protection for travel purposes and is considered effective for at least one year. The second dose, given six to twelve months later, provides a significant immune boost — extending protection to at least 25 years and potentially for life in most people. For those who have had one dose in the past but not the second, it is worth completing the course regardless of how much time has passed, as the booster remains effective even years after the initial dose.
The vaccine begins to take effect within approximately two weeks of the first dose, which is why it is best to arrange vaccination as early as possible before travel. However, if you are departing sooner than this, a dose given even a few days before travel will still provide some protective benefit and is always worthwhile.
Hepatitis A is just one of several vaccinations you may need depending on where you are heading. Enter your destination below to see which travel vaccines are recommended for your trip:
Is the Hepatitis A Vaccine Available on the NHS?
The hepatitis A vaccine is available on the NHS for certain high-risk groups, including people with chronic liver disease, men who have sex with men, and individuals in certain occupational risk groups. For most travellers, however, it is not routinely funded by the NHS and must be obtained privately.
Many GP surgeries no longer offer travel vaccinations as part of their NHS services, which means pharmacy-based travel clinics such as G.M. Graham Pharmacies in Essex have become the most practical and accessible route for the majority of travellers. We offer the hepatitis A vaccine as a private service, administered by our trained travel health advisors, with appointments available at a time that suits you. To book your hepatitis A vaccination or find out more about our full range of travel health services, our team is ready to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know you may have questions about the hepatitis A vaccine, so we have put together clear, honest answers to the things our patients ask us most often.
How long does the hepatitis A vaccine last?
A single dose of the hepatitis A vaccine provides protection for at least one year and is sufficient for most travel purposes. Completing the two-dose course — with the second dose given six to twelve months after the first — extends immunity to at least 25 years and is considered to provide lifelong protection in most people.
Can I have the hepatitis A vaccine if I am pregnant?
The hepatitis A vaccine contains an inactivated virus and is not a live vaccine, which means it is generally considered safe during pregnancy when the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of infection. However, as with all medical decisions during pregnancy, you should always seek personalised advice from your GP, midwife, or a qualified travel health clinician before proceeding.
Do I need the hepatitis A vaccine if I have had it before?
If you have completed the full two-dose course of the hepatitis A vaccine, you are considered to be protected for at least 25 years and are unlikely to need a booster. If you have only had one dose in the past, it is worth completing the course with a second dose, as this significantly extends your immunity regardless of how long ago the first dose was given.
What are the side effects of the hepatitis A vaccine?
The hepatitis A vaccine is generally very well tolerated, and most people experience no significant side effects. The most commonly reported reactions are mild and temporary, including soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, along with occasional headache, fatigue, or a mild fever in the days following vaccination.
Can the hepatitis A vaccine be given at the same time as other travel vaccines?
Yes — the hepatitis A vaccine can be given at the same time as most other travel vaccines, including typhoid, hepatitis B, and others, either as separate injections or as a combined vaccine. Your travel health advisor will plan your vaccination schedule based on your destinations, departure date, and vaccination history to ensure you receive the most effective protection in the time available.
Is the hepatitis A vaccine suitable for children?
The hepatitis A vaccine is licensed for use in children from the age of one year and is recommended for children travelling to high-risk destinations. Children under one year of age are not routinely vaccinated, but should be assessed individually by a clinician if travel to a high-risk area is planned.
Protect Yourself from Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is one of the most preventable travel-related infections — and one of the most commonly encountered. A straightforward two-dose vaccination course provides long-lasting protection that covers you for decades, making it one of the best investments you can make in your travel health. Whether you are planning a backpacking adventure, a family holiday, or a trip to visit relatives abroad, taking the time to get vaccinated before you go could spare you weeks of serious illness.
At G.M. Graham Pharmacies in Essex, our experienced travel health team is here to ensure you leave for your trip fully protected and fully prepared. We offer the hepatitis A vaccine as part of our comprehensive travel clinic service, with no GP referral needed and appointments available to suit your schedule. Book your vaccination appointment with us today and travel with complete confidence.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Vaccination recommendations vary depending on individual health circumstances, destination, and travel plans. You should always consult a qualified pharmacist, GP, or travel health professional before starting any vaccination course or treatment. Travel health guidance can change — always check the latest recommendations from the NHS Fitfortravel portal or NaTHNaC before you travel.
