Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A Vaccine | Travel Vaccination | Allied Pharmacies

Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection commonly spread through contaminated food and water, particularly in regions with poor sanitation. If you are travelling to parts of Africa, Asia, Central or South America, or the Middle East, the hepatitis A vaccine is strongly recommended to protect your health. At Allied Pharmacies, we provide a convenient hepatitis A vaccination service with no GP referral needed, allowing you to get protected quickly before your trip.

What Is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. According to the NHS, it is usually caught by consuming food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. It can also be spread through close physical contact with an infected person. While hepatitis A is not usually serious in healthy adults and most people make a full recovery within a couple of months, the illness can be unpleasant and debilitating, with symptoms lasting several weeks.

Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease. However, in rare cases, it can cause severe liver failure, particularly in older adults or those with pre-existing liver conditions. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis A infection.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Symptoms of hepatitis A typically develop two to six weeks after infection and can include:

• Feeling tired and generally unwell
• Joint and muscle pain
• High temperature of 38°C or above
• Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
• Pain or tenderness in the upper right abdomen
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Dark urine and pale stools
• Itchy skin

Not everyone with hepatitis A develops symptoms, and young children often have a milder illness. However, infected individuals can still spread the virus to others even if they have no symptoms themselves. There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A — recovery relies on rest, hydration, and managing symptoms.

Who Should Get the Hepatitis A Vaccine?

The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for anyone travelling to a country where the infection is common. High-risk areas include parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, and some parts of Eastern Europe. You should also consider vaccination if you:

• Are travelling to a high-risk area for work, volunteering, or holiday
• Work in an environment where you may be exposed to hepatitis A, such as healthcare or sewage work
• Have a chronic liver condition, as hepatitis A can be more severe
• Are a man who has sex with men
• Use recreational drugs
• Have a blood clotting disorder such as haemophilia

Even if you have visited a high-risk country before without being vaccinated, it is still worth getting the vaccine for future trips. Our pharmacists can assess your travel itinerary and recommend the appropriate vaccinations for your destination.

How the Hepatitis A Vaccine Works

The hepatitis A vaccine is an inactivated vaccine given as an injection into the upper arm. A single dose provides protection for approximately one year and should ideally be given at least two weeks before travel. A booster dose given six to twelve months after the first dose provides long-lasting protection for up to 25 years. The vaccine is highly effective and is well tolerated by most people.

Combined vaccines are also available that protect against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B, or hepatitis A and typhoid, which can be convenient if you need multiple travel vaccinations. Our pharmacists can advise on the best vaccination schedule for your needs.

Side Effects of the Hepatitis A Vaccine

The hepatitis A vaccine is very safe and side effects are usually mild and short-lived. Common side effects include:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Headache
• Feeling tired or generally unwell for a day or two
• Mild fever
• Loss of appetite

Serious side effects are extremely rare. Our pharmacists will discuss any potential risks with you before administering the vaccine and will monitor you briefly afterwards.

Hepatitis A Risk Areas

Hepatitis A is found worldwide but is most common in countries with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. When travelling to high-risk regions, it is important to take precautions in addition to vaccination, such as drinking only bottled or boiled water, avoiding ice in drinks, eating freshly cooked food that is served hot, and avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish. Peeling fruit yourself rather than eating pre-prepared fruit can also reduce your risk.

Preventing Hepatitis A While Travelling

While vaccination is the most reliable way to protect yourself against hepatitis A, following good hygiene practices while travelling can further reduce your risk. In high-risk areas, always drink bottled or boiled water and avoid ice in drinks unless you are sure it has been made from safe water. Choose freshly cooked food that is served piping hot, and avoid street food that has been sitting at room temperature. Peel your own fruit and vegetables, and avoid salads or pre-prepared fruit that may have been washed in contaminated water.

Practise thorough hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and clean water before eating and after using the toilet. If clean water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Be cautious with shellfish, as these filter feeders can concentrate the hepatitis A virus from contaminated water. By combining vaccination with these practical precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of contracting hepatitis A during your travels.

Hepatitis A and Other Travel Vaccinations

If you are planning a trip abroad, hepatitis A is often just one of several vaccinations you may need. Depending on your destination, our pharmacists may also recommend vaccines for hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, meningitis, and yellow fever. We can also prescribe antimalarial tablets if you are visiting a malaria-risk zone. Our comprehensive travel health consultation covers all of these areas, ensuring you are fully protected before you depart.

How Our Hepatitis A Vaccination Service Works

Getting the hepatitis A vaccine at Allied Pharmacies is straightforward and convenient. Simply contact your nearest branch or walk in to book your vaccination. Our pharmacist will carry out a brief travel health consultation to assess your destination, itinerary, and medical history. The vaccine is then administered as a quick injection into the upper arm. We will schedule your booster dose and send you a reminder when it is due.

We recommend getting vaccinated at least two weeks before your departure to allow the vaccine time to take effect. However, even last-minute travellers can benefit from vaccination, as the vaccine starts to provide some protection within a few days of administration.

Why Choose Allied Pharmacies?

Allied Pharmacies offers a professional, convenient travel vaccination service with:

• No GP referral or appointment needed for most vaccines
• Expert travel health consultations
• Hepatitis A, combined hepatitis A/B, and hepatitis A/typhoid vaccines available
• Flexible appointment times including evenings and weekends
• Digital vaccination records for your travel documents
• NHS-aligned guidance from experienced pharmacists

Related Services

You may also be interested in these related travel health services at Allied Pharmacies:

• Hepatitis B Vaccine – protection against hepatitis B for travellers and at-risk groups
• Cholera Vaccine – oral vaccine for travellers to cholera-risk areas
• Antimalarials – prescription antimalarial tablets for travel to malaria-risk zones

Find Hepatitis A Vaccination Near You

Visit your nearest Allied Pharmacies branch for your hepatitis A vaccination before you travel. Our pharmacists are here to help you stay protected and healthy on your trip. For more information, visit the NHS hepatitis A vaccine page.