Why do babies get the hepatitis A vaccine? - Healthy at Home with Dr. Handy | CHOP

Listen as Dr. Lori Handy discusses hepatitis A, a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. Symptoms can include fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and jaundice.
Although some people associate hepatitis A infections with international travel, this virus also causes infections in the United States. Risk factors can include experiencing homelessness, but outbreaks have also been linked to consuming contaminated foods, like shellfish, raw vegetables and frozen fruits, like strawberries.
Babies are recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis A at the age of 1, but vaccination can protect anyone from this virus in the case of a future exposure.
00:00 Introduction
00:27 What is hepatitis A?
00:53 Risk factors for hepatitis A
01:15 Hepatitis A and contaminated food
01:43 Hepatitis A vaccine
For more information about the “Healthy at Home with Dr. Handy” series or other Parents PACK programs, please visit our website, vaccine.chop.edu/parents.
Video created by and for the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (VEC at CHOP) is composed of scientists, physicians, mothers, and fathers devoted to the study and prevention of infectious diseases. The Center was launched in October 2000 to provide accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
If you have any questions about your child’s health, please contact your child’s doctor. This video is intended only to provide general education and not intended to create a doctor-patient relationship between you and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). It is not medical advice or treatment, and CHOP is not responsible for any outcomes you or your child might experience from your use of this video. This video is provided “AS IS” with no warranties or representations. This video is copyright of CHOP. All rights reserved. ©2024 The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.