Hepatitis A Vaccine in Birmingham
Hepatitis A is one of the most commonly vaccine-preventable travel illnesses in the world. Birmingham Travel Clinics provides the hepatitis A vaccine at our Kings Pharmacy branches across Birmingham, with personalised pre-travel advice from our pharmacist-led clinical team.
At a Glance: Hepatitis A Vaccine
- Two-dose injectable vaccine providing long-term protection of up to 25 years
- First dose provides protection for up to 12 months; second dose extends this significantly
- Recommended for most travellers to South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America
- One of the most widely recommended travel vaccines in the world
- Available at Birmingham Travel Clinics with no GP referral required
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver spread through contaminated food and water. Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease, but it can cause a serious and debilitating acute illness that lasts for weeks or even months. In older adults and those with pre-existing liver conditions, it can be life-threatening. Fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, and dark urine are the hallmark symptoms, and there is no specific treatment; the body must fight the infection on its own, which means recovery is primarily about rest and supportive care.
Hepatitis A is one of the most common vaccine-preventable illnesses acquired abroad by UK travellers. Unlike many other travel infections, it is not limited to remote or adventurous itineraries. Travellers staying in comfortable accommodation and eating in restaurants can still be exposed if the local food and water supply is contaminated at source. This is why hepatitis A vaccination is recommended across such a wide range of destinations and traveller types. You can read more about hepatitis A on the NHS website.
The virus is remarkably resilient and can survive on surfaces, in water, and in food for extended periods, which means even careful travellers following food hygiene guidance can be exposed without knowing it. Vaccination removes this risk reliably and for a prolonged period, making it one of the most valuable travel vaccines available.
It is also worth understanding that hepatitis A is spread through the same routes as typhoid, cholera, and other food and waterborne infections. This means that the same careful approach to food and water hygiene that reduces your risk of travellers' diarrhoea and typhoid also reduces your exposure to hepatitis A. However, no amount of food caution provides the same reliable protection as vaccination, which is why our team always recommends the hepatitis A vaccine as the primary line of defence rather than relying solely on behavioural precautions.
Who Should Have the Hepatitis A Vaccine Before Travelling?
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for most travellers visiting destinations where the virus is prevalent. It is one of the few travel vaccines that is broadly advisable regardless of the style of travel, because exposure can occur even in relatively controlled tourist environments.
| Traveller Type | Why Hepatitis A Vaccine is Advisable |
|---|---|
| Holiday travellers to Asia or Africa | Hepatitis A is endemic across these regions; even resort-based travellers face exposure risk through local food supply chains |
| Backpackers and budget travellers | Higher exposure through street food, local restaurants, and shared water sources |
| Visiting friends and family | Often involves home-cooked food and local water; frequently underserved by pre-travel health advice |
| Humanitarian and aid workers | Working in settings with compromised sanitation and water infrastructure |
| Travellers with chronic liver disease | At significantly higher risk of severe illness if infected; vaccination is especially important |
| Frequent or long-term travellers | The complete two-dose course provides long-term protection that covers multiple trips without repeat vaccination |
Where is Hepatitis A Most Common?
Hepatitis A has a far wider geographic distribution than many other travel vaccines, which is one of the reasons it is so frequently recommended. While risk varies by country and region, the following areas carry meaningful hepatitis A risk for travellers from the UK.
South Asia
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Hepatitis A is endemic across the region and is one of the most commonly recommended vaccines for travellers here. Risk applies to all travel styles, from city breaks to rural adventures.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Across the continent, hepatitis A is broadly endemic. Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and many others carry significant risk. Travellers on safari, volunteering, or visiting family are all at elevated exposure risk.
Southeast Asia
Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, and the Philippines all carry hepatitis A risk. Popular tourist destinations are not exempt; risk is associated with food supply contamination that affects even well-regarded restaurants.
Middle East and Latin America
Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, and parts of the Gulf carry risk, as does much of Central and South America. Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, and Mexico are among the commonly assessed destinations where vaccination is advisable.
About the Hepatitis A Vaccine
The hepatitis A vaccine used in the UK is a highly effective inactivated vaccine given as an injection. It is available as a standalone hepatitis A vaccine (Havrix, Epaxal) or as a combined hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine (Hepatyrix, ViATIM), which is particularly convenient for travellers heading to destinations where both vaccines are recommended, which is the majority of high-risk hepatitis A destinations.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Administration | Injection into the upper arm |
| Number of doses | 2 doses for long-term protection; first dose alone gives up to 12 months coverage |
| Second dose timing | 6 to 12 months after the first dose |
| Protection after first dose | Begins approximately 2 weeks after the first injection |
| Duration of protection | Up to 25 years after completing the two-dose course |
| Combined option | Available combined with typhoid vaccine in a single injection |
| Minimum age | From 1 year of age |
| Available on NHS | Not routinely available on the NHS for travel; provided privately at Birmingham Travel Clinics |
Hepatitis A Vaccine Side Effects
The hepatitis A vaccine has an excellent safety profile and is very well tolerated by the vast majority of patients. Side effects, when they occur, are mild and temporary.
| Side Effect | How Common |
|---|---|
| Injection site soreness | Common, typically resolves within 1 to 2 days |
| Headache or mild fever | Uncommon, resolves without treatment |
| Fatigue or loss of appetite | Uncommon, typically mild and brief |
| Nausea | Uncommon, usually mild |
| Serious allergic reaction | Very rare; clinical support is available throughout your appointment |
The Combined Hepatitis A and Typhoid Option
For travellers heading to South Asia, Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, or the Middle East, both hepatitis A and typhoid vaccination are almost always recommended together. This is because both diseases are spread through the same route: contaminated food and water, and are present in the same high-risk destinations.
A combined hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine (such as Hepatyrix or ViATIM) covers both diseases in a single injection, which means fewer needles and a simpler appointment. This is particularly convenient for travellers who are receiving multiple vaccines before a complex itinerary. Our dedicated guides on the typhoid vaccine and the typhoid fever shot explain the typhoid component in full detail.
If you are travelling to a destination where hepatitis A and typhoid are both recommended, ask our team at your appointment about whether the combined injection is the most appropriate option for you. Your clinician will advise based on your individual vaccination history and travel plans.
Other Vaccines to Consider Alongside Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A rarely stands alone in a pre-travel vaccination schedule. Most destinations where hepatitis A is recommended carry additional infection risks that require separate consideration. Our pharmacist-led team at Birmingham Travel Clinics will address all of these in a single comprehensive appointment.
For travellers to South Asia, typhoid vaccination is almost always recommended alongside hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is also an essential consideration for many South Asian and African destinations. Our guide on malaria tablets explains the options clearly. Travellers to Southeast Asia may also need to consider Japanese encephalitis vaccination for rural or extended itineraries, and our Japanese encephalitis vaccine page covers this in full. Hepatitis B is spread through a different route but is recommended for travellers who may require medical treatment abroad or who anticipate certain activities; our hepatitis B vaccine page provides further detail. For a broader overview of everything to consider before your trip, our travel vaccinated guide is an excellent starting point before your appointment.
Why Book Your Hepatitis A Vaccine at Birmingham Travel Clinics?
Long-Term Protection
A complete two-dose course provides up to 25 years of hepatitis A protection, meaning a single course covers a lifetime of travel without needing to repeat vaccination.
Combined with Typhoid if Needed
Our team can administer a combined hepatitis A and typhoid injection in a single appointment, covering both diseases at once for eligible travellers.
No GP Referral Required
Book directly with our pharmacist-led team. We typically see patients within days and can administer the vaccine at the same consultation appointment.
Comprehensive Travel Assessment
Every hepatitis A appointment includes a full review of your itinerary, ensuring all other relevant vaccines and precautions for your trip are identified and addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the hepatitis A vaccine available on the NHS for travel?
The hepatitis A vaccine is not routinely available on the NHS for travel purposes. It is available privately at Birmingham Travel Clinics as part of a travel health consultation. No GP referral is required and appointments can be arranged promptly.
How soon before travel do I need the hepatitis A vaccine?
Protection from the first dose begins approximately two weeks after vaccination. We recommend booking your travel health appointment at least four to six weeks before departure so there is time for this initial protection to develop, as well as to address any other vaccines your trip requires. If your departure is sooner, contact us and our team will advise on the best approach for your timeline.
Do I need the hepatitis A vaccine if I am staying in a good hotel?
Hepatitis A can be contracted even in high-quality accommodation settings, because the virus can enter the food supply at source before it reaches a restaurant kitchen. Travellers staying in well-regarded hotels can and do contract hepatitis A through food that appears well-prepared but has been contaminated earlier in the supply chain. Vaccination provides reliable protection regardless of where you eat or stay.
Can I have the hepatitis A vaccine if I have had it before?
If you completed the full two-dose hepatitis A course, you are likely protected for up to 25 years and do not need another course. If you only received one dose and it was more than 12 months ago, you may benefit from a second dose to extend your protection. Your travel health consultation at Birmingham Travel Clinics will review your vaccination history and advise on whether any further doses are needed.
Is hepatitis A the same as hepatitis B?
No. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are distinct viral infections that affect the liver but are caused by different viruses and spread through completely different routes. Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B is spread through blood, sexual contact, and other bodily fluids. They require separate vaccines and there is no cross-protection between them. Both may be recommended for travellers depending on their destination and individual risk profile.
Can children have the hepatitis A vaccine?
Yes. The hepatitis A vaccine is suitable for children aged one year and over. Vaccination is particularly important for children travelling to high-risk destinations as they are often more likely to come into contact with contaminated food, water, and surfaces during travel. Our team will confirm the appropriate schedule for your child at their consultation appointment.
Does the hepatitis A vaccine protect against all types of hepatitis?
No. The hepatitis A vaccine protects only against the hepatitis A virus. It does not provide any protection against hepatitis B, C, D, or E. Hepatitis E is also spread through contaminated food and water and carries risk in some of the same destinations as hepatitis A, but there is currently no hepatitis E vaccine licensed for routine use in the UK. Good food and water hygiene remains an important additional precaution alongside vaccination.
Plan Ahead: When to Book Your Hepatitis A Vaccine
Because the hepatitis A vaccine requires two doses to provide long-term protection, and the second dose is given six to twelve months after the first, planning ahead makes a meaningful difference to the level of protection you carry throughout your travels.
For most travellers, the priority before departure is the first dose, which provides protection of up to twelve months, sufficient for a single trip. If you are planning repeat travel to hepatitis A risk destinations over coming years, scheduling the second dose at the appropriate interval means your protection extends for up to twenty-five years from that point forward. This makes the complete two-dose course an outstanding investment for any regular international traveller.
We recommend booking your travel health appointment at Birmingham Travel Clinics at least four to six weeks before your departure date. This gives enough time for the initial hepatitis A protection to develop fully before you travel, and allows time to address all other vaccines your itinerary may require in the same consultation.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your appointment at Birmingham Travel Clinics begins with a brief travel health assessment. Our pharmacist will review your destination, itinerary, travel style, health history, and any current medications. This allows us to confirm whether hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for your trip and to advise on whether the standalone vaccine or the combined hepatitis A and typhoid injection is the better option for your circumstances.
The vaccine is administered as a single injection into the upper arm and takes only seconds. Your pharmacist will provide written documentation of the vaccination and advice on when your second dose should be scheduled for long-term protection. If you are travelling with family or a group, all members can be assessed and vaccinated at the same appointment. For any questions about your trip that are not directly vaccine-related, such as malaria prevention, travel insurance, or food and water hygiene in your destination, our team is well placed to advise on these too.
Hepatitis A is Preventable. Book Your Vaccine Before You Travel.
One injection before your trip provides up to a year of protection against one of the most common travel liver infections in the world. At Birmingham Travel Clinics, our pharmacist-led team provides the hepatitis A vaccine with no GP referral and no waiting lists.
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