Protect yourself from hepatitis A when travelling
Immunization against the hepatitis A virus (HAV) is recommended for anyone travelling to any country or area except:1
- Australia.
- Canada.
- Japan.
- New Zealand.
- The United States.
- Western Europe and the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, and Finland).
Talk to your doctor before visiting any other areas.
If you plan to travel to a part of the world where sanitation is poor or where hepatitis A is a known problem, see your doctor or travel medicine clinic 2 to 3 months prior to travel about receiving the hepatitis A vaccine, immune globulin (IG), or the combination hepatitis A and B vaccine. (Risk of hepatitis B increases if you go to a high-risk country frequently or stay for a long time.)
- If you complete the hepatitis A vaccination series, it is believed that you will be protected against hepatitis A virus (HAV) for at least 20 years.2 In adults (people older than 18 years of age), it is best if the first shot is given at least 4 weeks before a person may be exposed to the hepatitis A virus. But the vaccine provides protection for the majority of people shortly within 2 weeks of getting the first shot.3 A second follow-up shot should be given 6 to 18 months later to prolong protection. (Immunization with hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all children who are at high risk for being exposed to the virus beginning at 1 year of age or as recommended by your provincial health authority. Two separate doses are given at least 6 months apart. The second shot should be given 6 to 18 months after the first shot.)4
- If you receive IG and are planning an extended stay in an area where hepatitis A is a problem, you should get a higher dose of IG. You will need to get additional injections of the same high dose of IG every 3 to 5 months.
- Immune globulin (IG) is made from components of human blood. There is no risk of getting a blood-borne disease from IG made in Canada or the United States. The safety of IG manufactured in other countries cannot be guaranteed.
- If you will be visiting countries where hepatitis A is a problem and you will be staying for less than 3 months, you will receive enough protection at possibly lower cost by choosing the IG injection. However, if you plan to travel abroad on a regular basis, getting the vaccine may save you money in the long run.
- People who are allergic to the components of the hepatitis A vaccine, people who have weakened immune systems, and children younger than 6 months or 1 year of age (depending on the recommendations in your province or territory) should receive IG instead of the hepatitis vaccine.
When travelling in an area where hepatitis A is a known problem or where water quality is questionable:
- Boil water before drinking it. Bring the water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. If you are at an elevation of 2000 m (6500 ft) or higher, boil the water for 3 minutes. Do not drink tap water or well water or beverages containing ice cubes.
- Do not brush your teeth with tap water or well water.
- Make sure all foods are cooked well, especially shellfish.
- Eat only raw fruits and vegetables that you have washed in uncontaminated water and peeled yourself.
- Don't swim in water that has not been treated with chlorine.
- Don't drink bath or shower water.
| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH Carrie Henley | Last Updated: January 19, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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