Side Effects of Hepatitis A Immunization

Hepatitis A is a very contagious form of the hepatitis liver disease. It can have serious symptoms, but does not cause chronic liver problems. Immunization is recommended for people traveling to countries where the disease is prevalent, and for people working in certain jobs where there is a higher risk of contracting hepatitis A. Most side effects are mild and last a day or two.

Most Common Effect

• The most common side effects of the hepatitis A immunization are soreness and redness at the injection site, occurring in about half of adults and over 16 percent of children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Other Common Effects

• About 16 percent of adults and 4 percent of children develop a headache after receiving the hepatitis A vaccine, according to the CDC.

Less Common Effects

• Other less common side effects include loss of appetite or nausea, fatigue, or low-grade fever, as noted by the Immunization Action Coalition.

Allergic Reaction

• Some people have an allergic reaction to the shot, which can occur within a few minutes to a few hours, according to the CDC. This reaction is very rare. Symptoms include rash or hives, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, chest tightness, and facial or mouth swelling.

Other Serious Effects

• Other rare but serious reactions to the hepatitis A immunization, as listed by the University of Maryland Medical Center, include back pain, dizziness, Guillain-Barré syndrome, jaundice, numbness or tingling in the feet or hands, seizures, skin reactions, and more.