Hepatitis A Vaccine Overview
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. It is most commonly spread through food or water contaminated with the virus, or through close contact with an infected person.
The infection is more common in destinations where sanitation, clean water supplies and food hygiene standards may be less reliable. Vaccination is an effective way to reduce your risk before travelling.
How Hepatitis A Spreads
The virus is passed in the stools of an infected person. Infection can occur when food, water, hands or surfaces become contaminated, even when contamination is not visible.
What Are the Symptoms?
Some people, particularly younger children, may have few or no obvious symptoms. Adults are more likely to experience noticeable illness, which may last for several weeks or months.
- Feeling unusually tired or generally unwell
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling or being sick
- Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen
- A high temperature
- Dark urine and pale stools
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes known as jaundice
- Itchy skin, muscle pain or joint pain
Who May Need the Vaccine?
Hepatitis A vaccination may be recommended for previously unvaccinated travellers visiting countries or regions where the infection is common.
The recommendation depends on your destination, planned activities, length of stay, accommodation, medical history and likelihood of consuming locally prepared food or water.
- Holidaymakers visiting higher-risk destinations
- People visiting friends and relatives abroad
- Long-stay travellers and backpackers
- Aid, healthcare or humanitarian workers
- Travellers staying in rural or remote areas
- People with certain long-term liver conditions
How Is the Vaccine Given?
The Hepatitis A vaccine is normally given as an injection into the upper arm. A single initial dose is commonly used to provide protection for an upcoming journey.
A further dose is usually recommended later to provide longer-lasting protection. The exact timing will depend on the vaccine used, your age, previous doses and individual clinical circumstances.
Combined Vaccines
Combined vaccines may be available when protection is also required against Hepatitis B or typhoid. The correct option will be based on your travel plans and vaccination history.
Hepatitis A Vaccination and Travel Health Advice
Hampstead Travel Clinic provides private Hepatitis A vaccination for suitable adults and children travelling overseas. Our experienced pharmacy team will review your destinations, departure date, medical history and previous vaccine records before recommending the most appropriate vaccination schedule.
Which Travellers Should Consider Hepatitis A Vaccination?
Hepatitis A risk varies between destinations and types of travel. Vaccination is often recommended for unvaccinated travellers visiting areas where the infection is common, particularly when food hygiene, sanitation or access to clean water may be uncertain.
- Travellers visiting South Asia
- Visitors to parts of Africa
- Travellers to Central or South America
- People visiting parts of Asia or the Middle East
- Travellers visiting friends and relatives
- Backpackers and long-stay travellers
- People staying in rural or remote areas
- Aid and humanitarian workers
Your Hepatitis A Vaccination Appointment
Our travel health consultation ensures the vaccination advice is appropriate for your itinerary and individual circumstances.
Review Your Journey
We assess each country, region, departure date and planned activity.
Check Your Records
Bring any previous travel, GP or childhood vaccination information.
Clinical Assessment
We review your health, medication, allergies and vaccine suitability.
Receive Your Vaccine
When suitable, the vaccine is administered and follow-up is explained.
Reducing Your Risk of Hepatitis A Abroad
Vaccination is an important part of prevention, but travellers should also practise careful food, water and hand hygiene during their trip.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before eating
- Use sealed bottled water or appropriately treated water
- Avoid ice when the water source is uncertain
- Choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot
- Avoid raw or undercooked shellfish
- Peel fruit yourself before eating it
- Be cautious with salads and uncooked food washed in local water
- Avoid sharing food or utensils with someone who is unwell
Hepatitis A Vaccination in Hampstead, North West London
Hampstead Travel Clinic is located inside Allchin Pharmacy at 28 Englands Lane, London, NW3 4UE. We provide private Hepatitis A vaccination and personalised travel health consultations for patients from Hampstead and surrounding North West London areas. Same-day or short-notice appointments may be available, subject to pharmacist availability, vaccine stock and clinical suitability.
- Hampstead
- Belsize Park
- Swiss Cottage
- Finchley Road
- St John’s Wood
- Primrose Hill
- West Hampstead
- Camden
- Kentish Town
- Gospel Oak
- Chalk Farm
- Golders Green
- Kilburn
- Highgate
Hepatitis A Vaccination FAQs
Helpful answers for travellers considering private Hepatitis A vaccination in Hampstead.
Do I need a Hepatitis A vaccine for travel?
Hepatitis A vaccination may be recommended if you are travelling to a country or region where the infection is common, particularly where sanitation and access to safe food or water may be less reliable.
The recommendation should be based on your exact itinerary, accommodation, planned activities, length of stay and previous vaccination history.
Which countries have a risk of Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is found worldwide but is more common in many parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America and areas where sanitation or clean water supplies are limited.
Risk can vary within the same country, so current destination- specific travel health advice should always be checked.
How long before travelling should I have the vaccine?
You should ideally arrange travel vaccinations at least four to six weeks before departure. This allows time to assess all your travel health requirements and complete any additional courses.
It is still worth contacting the clinic if you are travelling at short notice, as Hepatitis A vaccination may still be considered close to departure following a clinical assessment.
How many Hepatitis A vaccine doses will I need?
A single initial dose is commonly given for short-term travel protection. A later dose is normally recommended to extend the duration of protection.
The exact number and timing of doses will depend on the vaccine product, your age, previous vaccinations and whether a combined vaccine is used.
How long does the Hepatitis A vaccine last?
The initial dose is intended to provide protection for an upcoming journey. Completing the recommended follow-up course can provide much longer-lasting protection.
Bring your previous vaccine dates to the appointment so the pharmacist can determine whether you need an initial dose, follow-up dose or no additional vaccine.
Can I have a combined Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine?
A combined vaccine may be available for travellers who require protection against both Hepatitis A and typhoid.
Whether this is the best option depends on your destination, previous vaccination history, age and timing before departure.
Can I have a combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine?
Combined Hepatitis A and B vaccines are available for some travellers who require protection against both infections.
Combined courses may involve several doses. Your pharmacist will explain the appropriate schedule based on your age and departure date.
Can children receive the Hepatitis A vaccine?
Hepatitis A vaccination may be suitable for children travelling to a higher-risk destination. Suitability and the vaccine product used will depend on the child’s age and medical history.
Please bring any childhood and previous travel vaccination records to the appointment.
What are the side effects of the Hepatitis A vaccine?
Common temporary effects can include soreness, redness or swelling around the injection site. Some people may also experience a mild headache, tiredness, a temperature or reduced appetite.
The pharmacist will explain expected reactions and when to seek further medical advice before administering the vaccine.
What if I have already received a Hepatitis A vaccine?
Bring any available records showing the vaccine name and date. You may require a follow-up dose, a booster or no further vaccine, depending on which course you previously received.
Do not restart a vaccine course without first having your history assessed by a healthcare professional.
What should I do if I develop symptoms after travelling?
Seek medical advice if you develop persistent sickness, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, severe tiredness or yellowing of the skin or eyes during or after travel.
Tell the healthcare professional where you travelled, when you returned and whether you received a Hepatitis A vaccination.
Do you offer same-day Hepatitis A vaccination?
Same-day or short-notice appointments may sometimes be available, subject to pharmacist availability, clinical suitability and vaccine stock.
Contact Hampstead Travel Clinic before visiting so our team can confirm current appointment and vaccine availability.
Where is Hampstead Travel Clinic located?
Hampstead Travel Clinic is based inside Allchin Pharmacy at 28 Englands Lane, London, NW3 4UE.
Our clinic is convenient for patients from Hampstead, Belsize Park, Swiss Cottage, Finchley Road, St John’s Wood, West Hampstead, Camden and surrounding North West London areas.
Book Your Hepatitis A Vaccination
Arrange a personalised travel health assessment with our experienced pharmacy team in Hampstead. We will review your destination, check your previous vaccination history and recommend the most appropriate Hepatitis A vaccination schedule.
What Our Clients Say
“I have been going here for over a decade. The Chief pharmacist always goes out his way to assist me, the rest are also always friendly, polite and helpful.”
“Best local travel clinic. Really friendly and helpful staff. Very quick service.”
“Nice staff particularly regular pharmacist. Gave me my flu jab painlessly”
“Directed here by my niece. Wonderful! Friendly staff in a cozy pharmacy packed with everything you could need. ”
