Hepatitis A protection, sorted close to home in Urmston
One of the most commonly recommended jabs for travellers, and one of the easiest to organise. Pop into Davyhulme Pharmacy and we'll get you covered before you go.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver that you pick up by swallowing the virus, usually through food or water that has been contaminated, or by close contact with someone who is already infected. It is common across much of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, and parts of eastern Europe, which is why it comes up so often when travellers plan a trip beyond western Europe and North America.
Many people who catch it feel genuinely unwell for several weeks, with tiredness, nausea, tummy upset, fever and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes). It is rarely fatal in otherwise healthy people, but it can knock you flat for a long stretch and the recovery can drag on for months. The reassuring part is that a straightforward vaccine offers excellent, long-lasting protection, so it is one of the simplest ways to look after yourself before you set off.
Who should consider it
Anyone travelling to Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central or South America, or parts of eastern Europe, including short holidays and stopovers
Visiting friends and relatives abroad, where home cooking and local water can carry more risk than a resort
Backpackers, longer-stay travellers and anyone heading off the beaten track where sanitation may be limited
People with a long-term liver condition, for whom an infection could be more serious
How you catch hepatitis A abroad
The virus is passed on through the faecal–oral route, which is a clinical way of saying it ends up in food or water through poor hygiene and you then swallow it. Raw or undercooked shellfish, salads washed in unsafe water, ice cubes and unpeeled fruit are all classic culprits. Good hand-washing and being careful with what you eat and drink genuinely help, but they cannot give you the same dependable cover as the vaccine, especially on a longer trip or somewhere remote. That is why we usually suggest both: the jab as your backstop and sensible food-and-water habits on top.
How the course works
Protection comes from an inactivated vaccine given as an injection into the upper arm. A single dose gives good cover for around a year, which is plenty for most one-off holidays. Having a second, booster dose six to twelve months later then extends your protection out to roughly 25 years, so for many people it really is a once-in-a-working-life job. If you also need protection against typhoid or hepatitis B, your pharmacist can talk you through combined vaccines that cover two things in one injection, which can save you a jab or two.
Leaving it late? Still worth a visit
Ideally we'd give the first dose a couple of weeks before you fly so your immune system has time to respond, but the vaccine still offers useful protection even when it's given closer to your departure date. So if your trip from Manchester Airport is only days away, don't write it off, pop in and we'll do what we can. It's also fine to start the course now and have the booster after you're back, so a last-minute holiday needn't mean missing out on the long-term cover.
Safety and what to expect afterwards
The hepatitis A vaccine has a long track record and an excellent safety profile. Most people have no trouble at all, and any side effects are usually mild and brief, such as a sore or red arm, a headache, tiredness or feeling a little off-colour for a day or so. Serious reactions are very rare. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding or have any allergies or health conditions, just mention it and your pharmacist will check it's right for you.
Frequently asked questions
It's recommended for most of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America and some parts of eastern Europe. Because the destination really matters, the best approach is to tell us where you're going and we'll check the current TravelHealthPro advice for that specific country and let you know what's sensible for your trip.
A single dose gives reliable protection for about a year, which covers most ordinary holidays. If you then have a booster six to twelve months later, your cover stretches to around 25 years, so a regular traveller may never need to think about it again. We'll set you up with whatever fits your travel plans.
Not at all. While the ideal is a couple of weeks' head start, the vaccine still gives helpful protection when it's given nearer to departure. We'd much rather see you for a last-minute jab than have you travel with nothing, so do pop into the pharmacy and we'll sort you out.
Yes, hepatitis A can usually be given at the same visit as your other travel jabs, and there are combined vaccines that pair it with typhoid or hepatitis B in a single injection. Your pharmacist will plan your appointment so you get everything you need with as little fuss, and as few trips to Urmston, as possible.
They tend to be mild and short-lived, a tender or red arm being the most common, sometimes with a headache, tiredness or feeling slightly under the weather for a day or two. These settle on their own. Serious reactions are very uncommon, but let us know if you've ever had a bad reaction to a vaccine before.
If you completed the two-dose course, you may already be covered for many years and might not need anything further. Bring along whatever you can remember or any records you have, and your pharmacist will confirm where you stand and whether a booster is worthwhile for your next trip.
This information is grounded in NHS, TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) and UKHSA guidance and is for general information only — not a substitute for a personal consultation. Your suitability is assessed by our pharmacist before any vaccination.
Get hepatitis A cover before you fly
Call Davyhulme Pharmacy on 0161 748 3016 to book your hepatitis A vaccination, or call in and chat it through with our friendly team.