Hepatitis A Vaccine
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection. Hepatitis A is most commonly transmitted by contaminated food, water, or close contact with infected individuals. Mild cases do not require treatment, and most individuals recover completely with no permanent liver damage. Cases resulting in permanent liver damage are exceptionally rare, but liver dysfunction can continue for weeks to months.
Sources: Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic
The Case For the Vaccine
While Hepatitis A can be transmitted by other methods, individuals typically contract it from eating uncooked and contaminated food. Areas with poor sanitation typically have higher levels of Hepatitis A cases due to contamination. Individuals who recently traveled to areas with poor sanitation are urged to get vaccinated to prevent outbreaks. Since vaccination efforts began, cases have dropped due to immunization-gained immunity. Since the disease can be acquired through uncooked and contaminated food, the concept of herd immunity fails because contaminated food can be consumed by both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Sources: Integrative Pediatrics, Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic
The Case Against the Vaccine
Hepatitis A presents a low perceived risk to many. When choosing to vaccinate their children, some parents argue that many children are not at a natural risk. If food is cooked properly and sanitation occurs, the largest risk factor disappears. If children do not live with an infected individual, disease transmission difficult. Additionally, if the family does not travel to impacted areas and maintains a healthy lifestyle, risk factors are relatively low.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Conclusion
This vaccine has presented parents with difficult decisions. While effective, parents sometimes struggle to justify the vaccination and vaccine-related side effects due to the disease’s rarity and transmission methods. When deciding whether to take this vaccine or not, we challenge you to learn more about the disease, disease-based severe side effects, and examine the frequency of vaccine-related serious side effects.