Hepatitis A vaccine recommended
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a recommendation for universal administration of Hepatitis A vaccine to all infants 12 to 23 months of age, with a second dose six months later. This is only a recommendation and not a required vaccine at this time.
Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis virus. Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of affected people. It is usually spread by close personal contact and sometimes by eating food or drinking water containing the virus. About 70% of children younger than 6 years of age often have the virus without showing symptoms. This allows them to easily spread the disease. The older you are the more likely you are to have serious consequences from the disease.
The symptoms may be a mild "flu like" illness, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) or severe stomach pains and diarrhea. A person with hepatitis A can easily pass the disease to others within the same household.
Since the Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended, Comprehensive Pediatrics has integrated this vaccine into the immunization schedule. See immunization schedule above, updated February 2009.
Hepatitis A is now being offered to all age groups. You should check with your medical insurance carrier regarding coverage.
In addition, on February 25, ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) updated its guidance by recommending hepatitis A vaccination for all previously unvaccinated persons who anticipate close personal contact (e.g., household contact or regular babysitting) with an international adoptee from a country of high or intermediate endemicity during the first 60 days following arrival of the adoptee in the United States. The first dose of the 2-dose hepatitis A vaccine series should be administered as soon as adoption is planned, ideally 2 or more weeks before the arrival of the adoptee.