Vaqta

Vaqta is a vaccine used for the prevention of disease caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV).

Vaqta is a vaccine given as a shot into the muscle of the upper arm or thigh. 

Common side effects of Vaqta include pain, tenderness, and redness at the injection site.

Vaqta is a vaccine indicated for the prevention of disease caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) in persons 12 months of age and older. 

• Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

Common side effects of Vaqta include:

• Children — 12 through 23 months of age: pain, tenderness, and redness at the injection site as well as fever
• Children/teenagers — 2 through 18 years of age: injection site pain
• Adults — 19 years of age and older: pain, tenderness, soreness, and warmth at the injection site as well as headache 

This is not a complete list of Vaqta side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• take medicines that weaken the immune system
• are going to receive other vaccines 

This is not a complete list of Vaqta drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

Allergy to Latex: The vial stopper and the syringe plunger stopper and tip cap contain dry natural latex rubber that may cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals.

Altered Immunocompetence: Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a diminished immune response to Vaqta and may not be protected against HAV infection after vaccination.

Limitations of Vaccine Effectiveness: Hepatitis A virus has a relatively long incubation period (approximately 20 to 50 days). Vaqta may not prevent hepatitis A infection in individuals who have an unrecognized hepatitis A infection at the time of vaccination. Vaccination with Vaqta may not result in a protective response in all susceptible vaccinees.

Do not receive Vaqta if you or your child have a history of immediate and/or severe allergic or hypersensitivity reactions (i.e. anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any hepatitis A vaccine or an anaphylactic (severe allergic) reaction to neomycin.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Vaqta, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication. 

Tell your health care provider if you: 

• have a history of immediate and/or severe allergic or hypersensitivity reactions (i.e. anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any hepatitis A vaccine or an anaphylactic (severe allergic) reaction to neomycin
• are allergic to latex
• are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune response)
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications and vaccines based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Vaqta falls into category C. No studies have been done in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Vaqta should be given during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby. 

Tell your doctor is you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

It is not known if Vaqta crosses into human milk. Because some vaccines can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this vaccine, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this vaccine. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Vaqta. 

This vaccine will be administered by a healthcare provider. 

• Vaqta is a vaccine injected into the muscle of in the upper arm or thigh.
  • For adults, adolescents, and children older than 2 years of age: the upper arm is preferred
  • For children 12 through 23 months of age: the thigh is preferred 

Vaqta is a vaccine injected into the muscle in the upper arm or thigh.

The recommended vaccination schedules for Vaqta are the following:

• Children/Adolescents (12 months through 18 years of age): one (0.5 mL) dose and a booster (0.5 mL) dose 6 to 18 months later

• Adults (19 years of age and older): one (1 mL) dose and a booster (1 mL) dose 6 to 18 months later

• Booster Immunization Following Another Manufacturer's Hepatitis A Vaccine: A booster dose of Vaqta may be given at 6 to 12 months following a primary dose of Havrix

Vaqta is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting. It is unlikely that an overdose will occur in this setting. However, if overdoes is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.