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Prevention of hepatitis A in children
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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In the center of hepatitis A, to identify atypical forms, it is recommended to conduct a laboratory test: determine the activity of alanine transaminase (ALT) and anti-HAV IgM in the blood serum (blood is taken from the finger). The tests must be repeated after 10-15 days until the end of the outbreak. With their help, it is possible to identify almost all infected people and quickly localize the source of infection.
Strict control of public catering, drinking water quality, and public and personal hygiene are of critical importance in order to prevent the transmission of infection.
When a patient with hepatitis A is identified, current and final disinfection is carried out at the site of infection.
Of decisive importance is the vaccination against hepatitis A - the hepatitis A vaccination.
The following vaccines are registered and approved for use:
- hepatitis A vaccine purified concentrated adsorbed inactivated liquid GEP-A-in-VAK, Russia:
- hepatitis A vaccine with polyoxidonium GEP-A-in-VAK-pol, Russia;
- Havrix 1440 from GlaxoSmithKline, England;
- Havrix 720 from GlaxoSmithKline, England;
- Avaxim from Aventis Pasteur, France:
- Vakta 25 U (50 U) from Merck Sharp & Dohme, USA;
- Twinrix is a vaccine against hepatitis A and B produced by GlaxoSmithKline, England.
It is recommended to start vaccination against hepatitis A at the age of 12 months. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly twice according to the schedule: 0 and 6 months or 0 and 12 months. The vaccine against hepatitis A can be administered simultaneously with the vaccine against hepatitis B if the dates coincide. A protective level of immunity is formed in 95% of those vaccinated.
Reactions to the hepatitis A vaccine are relatively rare. Some children may experience pain, hyperemia and swelling at the injection site, and general reactions such as fever, chills, and allergic rash are rare. In hypersensitized children, anaphylactic reactions are theoretically possible, but they can be easily eliminated with conventional desensitizing drugs.
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