🌍 Hepatitis A & B Combination Vaccine

A dual vaccine protecting against two serious viral infections often spread through contaminated food, water, or bodily fluids.

🔍 What is it?
This combined vaccine provides protection against:

• Hepatitis A – a liver infection caused by consuming contaminated food or water
• Hepatitis B – spread via blood or bodily fluids, often through sexual contact, tattoos, or medical treatment abroad

🧪 What does it contain?

• Inactivated hepatitis A virus
• Recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen
  Administered as a course of 3 injections over 6 months.

🔎 Note: Accelerated schedules are available for last-minute travellers.

❓ Why might I need it?
🌍 Travelling to areas with poor sanitation
💉 At risk of blood exposure (e.g., medical/dental work abroad)
❤️ Sexual contact with new partners abroad
🦠 Visiting friends/family in high-risk countries

🧬 Conditions it can help prevent:

• Acute and chronic hepatitis
• Liver failure
• Carrier state (especially for Hep B)

🩺 How is it given?
Injection into the upper arm
Course of 3 doses (0, 1, and 6 months) or accelerated 0, 7, 21 days + 1 year booster

💷 Typical Private Cost in the UK:
£60–£110 total for full course

✅ Commonly Combined With:
Typhoid vaccine
Tetanus booster
Travel health consultation

📚 References:
NHS Fit for Travel – Hepatitis A & B
WHO – Travel Vaccines
UKHSA Green Book