It’s vacation time and hepatitis A is spreading in Eastern Europe. Cases have also been reported in Germany and Austria. Now is the perfect time to check your vaccination status. Vaccination provides reliable protection against hepatitis A for at least 10 years, sometimes even for life. Booster shots are not usually necessary for healthy individuals.
For immunocompromised individuals, it may be advisable to measure antibody levels and, if necessary, administer a booster vaccination.
Vaccination may still be advisable shortly before travel, as hepatitis A has a long incubation period. It is then advisable to receive the second dose after 6 months for long-term protection.
Hepatitis A infections are among the most common causes of travel-related infections in children that can be prevented by vaccination. Vaccination is possible from the age of 1 year. Even though young children do not usually develop severe hepatitis A, vaccination is recommended if indicated, as children excrete the virus over a long period of time and can therefore cause outbreaks in their environment even after returning home.
Hepatitis A Info at Swiss-Hepatitis
You can find a vaccination center in Switzerland on our HepMap or ask your family doctor.
Twinrix is a vaccine that protects against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.