Hepatitis A and B (combined)
One course that covers both liver infections — better value than the two vaccines separately.
If your trip calls for protection against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B, a combined vaccine does the job in one course of injections instead of two, and costs less than having each separately. It is the usual choice for longer stays, gap years, volunteering and work placements in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America.
What it protects against
Hepatitis A is caught from contaminated food and water and causes weeks of illness. Hepatitis B is caught from blood and body fluids — through medical treatment, tattoos, sex or injuries — and can become a lifelong infection. Both inflame the liver; both are preventable.
The vaccine
Twinrix is given as three injections at zero, one and six months. The first dose gives good hepatitis A protection for the trip; completing the course secures long-term protection against both. If you are leaving within a month an accelerated schedule of doses at days 0, 7 and 21 with a fourth at twelve months can be used. The adult vaccine is for anyone from sixteen; younger children can have a paediatric version — ask when you book.
Is it right for you?
If you only need hepatitis A — a fortnight’s holiday, say — the single vaccine is cheaper. The pharmacist will tell you which makes sense for your itinerary, and whether hepatitis A is available free from your GP.
Not sure whether you need this one? Book the travel consultation instead and the pharmacist will go through your trip with you.