Should I Get A Second Dose Of Hep A Vaccine Inspite Of Having It Few Years Back?

Posted on Wed, 30 Jul 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 Answered on

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello,
This is in regards to the Hep A vaccine.
I received my first dose of the vaccine in 2012 but did not get the second. Do I have any protection from the first and could just receive the 2nd dose ASAP or would I have to start the dose from the start because I am no longer protected?
Thank You

Answered by Dr. Arun (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
just take one dose ASAP

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to us.

Second dose of hepatitis vaccine can be given even after 2 years after the first dose. It is just a booster dose and can be given even many years after the first dose, but earlier the better, because usually the protection levels fall after 2 years of taking the initial dose.
You can safely take one dose only ASAP.

Regards
Dr Arun

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari