Reader Question: The hepatitis A vaccine has been in the news a lot lately. Should my kids and I get it?

On Call Response: Your children should definitely get it and you should consider it, too. The CDC now recommends that all children be vaccinated for hepatitis A when they turn one year old.

Adults should also think about getting vaccinated—especially if they plan to travel to developing countries (preferably at least two to four weeks before travel). Hepatitis A, a liver infection caused by a virus, is transmitted through food or drinking water that has come in contact with infected stool (like when a restaurant worker doesn't wash his hands), so it's a good idea to avoid tap water and uncooked foods when you're in countries where hepatitis A is common.


What Do You Think?