ROUTINE TRAVEL VACCINE. SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Hepatitis A Vaccine in Arizona

Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water in dozens of destinations popular with Phoenix-area travelers. A two-dose series provides lifelong protection. We administer the full series, coordinate your complete travel health plan, and have you protected before departure.

Call (480) 435-2774 Book Online

94 to 100% after first dose . Lifelong protection . 2 doses to complete series

QUICK FACTS

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver and is a significant concern for international travelers due to its highly contagious nature and potential for severe health complications.

  • Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is usually transmitted by contaminated food or water.
  • Hepatitis A is the most common vaccine preventable disease of travelers (behind influenza) and endemic throughout much of the world.
  • According to the CDC, international travel is considered the number one risk factor for HAV infection in the United States.
  • The hepatitis A vaccine is extremely effective, well tolerated and a series of 2 shots provides immunity for life.

Hepatitis A: A Preventable Liver Infection With No Specific Treatment

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Unlike hepatitis B and C, it does not cause chronic liver disease. But acute infection can be severe, particularly in adults over 50 and in people with pre-existing liver conditions. The virus spreads through the fecal-oral route, most commonly via contaminated food and water or close contact with an infected person.

An estimated 1.4 million cases occur worldwide each year. The disease is closely tied to sanitation infrastructure. In regions with limited access to clean water and modern sewage systems, the virus circulates year-round. Street food, raw shellfish, raw produce rinsed in local water, and ice made from untreated water are the most common exposure routes for travelers. Even upscale restaurants in endemic countries carry some risk when local ingredients are involved.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for hepatitis A. Illness typically resolves on its own over several weeks to months, but symptoms can be debilitating: fever, profound fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice. Most working adults who contract hepatitis A miss two to six weeks of work. Older adults and those with chronic liver disease face a risk of fulminant hepatic failure, which can be fatal. The case-fatality rate rises steeply with age, reaching 1 to 2 percent in adults over 60.

The hepatitis A vaccine is among the safest and most effective travel vaccines available. A single dose delivers strong short-term protection before your departure. Two doses, completed 6 to 18 months apart, generate immunity estimated to last 25 or more years, and most experts consider the series to confer lifelong protection.

Who Should Get the Hepatitis A Vaccine

You should plan to receive the hepatitis A vaccine if any of the following apply:

  • You are traveling to any country with high or intermediate endemicity, including most of Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia
  • You will be eating local foods, dining at street stalls, or consuming produce, shellfish, or beverages of uncertain origin abroad
  • You are visiting friends or relatives in an endemic country, where home-cooked local meals carry real exposure risk
  • You have chronic liver disease, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or cirrhosis
  • You are an unvaccinated adult in a higher-risk group domestically, including men who have sex with men or people who use injectable drugs
  • You will be working in a healthcare, humanitarian, research, or field setting in an endemic region

Medically Reviewed By

Norman J. Bizon, PA-C, CTH
Medical Director, 30+ years clinical experience

Tessa E. McFall, ASN, EMT
Travel Health Clinician

Last updated April 21, 2026

DESTINATIONS

Where Hepatitis A Is a Risk

Hepatitis A is endemic in most developing regions worldwide. The CDC and WHO recommend vaccination for all unvaccinated travelers to countries with high or intermediate endemicity. Always confirm the latest guidance at your consultation.

Mexico. Hepatitis A is endemic throughout Mexico, including areas around popular resort destinations. The CDC recommends vaccination for all unvaccinated travelers. Exposure can occur through local food, tap water, ice, and raw produce even at higher-end establishments.

Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua. High endemicity throughout. Sanitation infrastructure is limited outside capital cities. Vaccination is strongly recommended for all travelers, including short-stay visitors and those staying in tourist accommodations.

Costa Rica and Panama. Better infrastructure than the rest of Central America, but hepatitis A remains endemic. Recommended for all unvaccinated travelers, particularly those venturing beyond major tourist corridors.

Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia. High endemicity throughout rural areas and Amazon basin regions. Urban centers carry lower but non-negligible risk. Recommended for all travelers, especially those visiting markets, rural communities, or jungle itineraries.

Brazil. Intermediate to high endemicity outside major urban centers. Recommended for travelers venturing beyond Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and other large cities, particularly those visiting the Amazon, the northeast, or rural areas.

Haiti and Dominican Republic. Haiti has among the highest hepatitis A incidence in the Western Hemisphere. The Dominican Republic carries significant risk outside all-inclusive resort settings. Vaccination is strongly recommended for all travelers to both countries.

Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana. High endemicity throughout. Venezuela’s ongoing public health situation has increased transmission risk significantly. Vaccination recommended for all travelers.

Egypt and North Africa. Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria all carry high endemicity. Travelers on Nile cruises, visiting local markets, or eating at non-tourist establishments face real exposure risk. Shellfish and raw produce are frequent vehicles.

Sub-Saharan Africa. High endemicity throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa, including East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda), West Africa (Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria), and Southern Africa. Sanitation varies widely. Vaccination is strongly recommended for all travelers.

West and Central Africa. Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, and neighboring countries all carry high endemicity. Humanitarian workers, missionaries, and volunteer travelers face high exposure risk.

Turkey. Intermediate endemicity. Infrastructure in major cities is relatively strong, but rural areas and the southeast carry higher risk. Recommended for most travelers, particularly those visiting beyond major tourist areas.

Jordan, Lebanon, and the Levant. Intermediate endemicity. Jordan and Lebanon have improved sanitation infrastructure but hepatitis A transmission remains common in rural and camp settings. Recommended for all travelers.

Iraq, Syria, Yemen. High endemicity compounded by significant disruption to water and sanitation infrastructure. Recommended for all travelers and aid workers. Food and water precautions are essential even after vaccination.

Saudi Arabia and Gulf States. Gulf states have modern infrastructure in urban centers, but hepatitis A remains endemic in lower-income communities. Hajj and Umrah travelers face significant food-sharing exposure in crowded settings. Vaccination recommended.

Iran and Central Asian Republics. Intermediate to high endemicity. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan all carry meaningful hepatitis A risk. Recommended for travelers, researchers, and aid workers.

India. One of the highest-burden countries globally. Recommended for all travelers, including those visiting only major cities. Street food, raw produce, and contaminated water are ubiquitous exposure routes. Even business travelers and short-stay visitors should be vaccinated.

Nepal and Bangladesh. Very high endemicity. Trekkers in Nepal face exposure through local food and water throughout the trail network. Bangladesh has limited clean-water infrastructure in large portions of the country. Vaccination essential.

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines). High endemicity throughout the region. Seafood, raw produce, and street food are major exposure routes. Recommended for all travelers regardless of accommodation type or trip duration.

China. Intermediate endemicity. Urban centers have improved significantly, but rural areas, smaller cities, and markets carry meaningful risk. Recommended for travelers going beyond major urban tourist destinations.

Pakistan and Afghanistan. High endemicity with limited sanitation infrastructure outside urban centers. Recommended for all travelers, aid workers, and military personnel.

Pacific Islands (Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands). Intermediate to high endemicity across Pacific Island nations with limited infrastructure. Recommended for travelers staying beyond resort areas and those visiting outer islands.

Low-Risk Destinations. The United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan have low hepatitis A endemicity due to high vaccination coverage and modern sanitation. Vaccination is not routinely recommended for travel to these destinations alone.

SAFETY

Who Should Not Get the Hepatitis A Vaccine

Hepatitis A vaccine is an inactivated (non-live) vaccine. It does not contain live virus, which makes it safe for immunocompromised travelers and generally appropriate during pregnancy. True contraindications are limited.

Contraindications and Precautions

You should not receive the hepatitis A vaccine, or should discuss it carefully with your provider first, if you:

  • Have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of hepatitis A vaccine
  • Have a known severe allergy to a vaccine component: aluminum hydroxide adjuvant (both Havrix and VAQTA), neomycin (VAQTA), or 2-phenoxyethanol (Havrix)
  • Are currently experiencing a moderate or severe acute illness. Defer vaccination until you have recovered
  • Are pregnant. Hepatitis A vaccine is not a live virus and ACIP considers it acceptable when the benefit outweighs the risk. Discuss your specific itinerary and risk level with your provider before deciding

Not Contraindicated in Immunocompromised Travelers

Because the hepatitis A vaccine is inactivated, it is safe to administer to people who are immunocompromised, including those with HIV, organ transplant recipients, and people on immunosuppressive medications. The immune response may be lower in these individuals. Antibody titer testing after vaccination can confirm seroconversion.

People with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, or fatty liver disease, are among the strongest candidates for vaccination because they face a dramatically higher risk of severe illness and fulminant liver failure if infected.

Call to Discuss Your Case

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Specific Situations We Handle

Chronic Liver Disease

People with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease face a significantly higher risk of fulminant hepatic failure and death if they contract hepatitis A. ACIP lists chronic liver disease as one of the strongest indications for vaccination. If you have any liver condition and are planning international travel, vaccination is not optional.

Immunocompromised Travelers

Because hepatitis A vaccine is inactivated, it is safe for travelers on biologics, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants after organ transplant. Immune response may be blunted. We can coordinate post-vaccination antibody titer testing to confirm protection, and we counsel on whether additional food and water precautions are warranted for your specific regimen.

Pregnancy

Hepatitis A vaccine contains no live virus. ACIP guidance considers the vaccine acceptable during pregnancy when the benefit of protection outweighs the theoretical risk. If you are pregnant and traveling to a high-endemicity country, the risks of infection and vaccination are weighed together at your consultation. Postponing or adjusting the trip remains an option we discuss.

Children Traveling Abroad

Hepatitis A vaccine is part of the routine US childhood immunization schedule starting at 12 months. Unvaccinated children traveling to endemic regions should receive the first dose at least two weeks before departure. The second dose completes long-term protection. Children who received both doses on the standard schedule are already protected and do not need additional doses.

Combination Vaccine (Twinrix)

Travelers who need protection against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B can receive Twinrix, a combined vaccine given as three doses at 0, 1, and 6 months. An accelerated schedule (0, 7, and 21 to 30 days, plus a booster at 12 months) is available for travelers with less lead time. We evaluate your hepatitis B status and vaccination history to recommend the most efficient approach.

Visiting Friends and Relatives

Travelers born in the US who visit relatives in endemic countries are among the highest-risk groups and among the most commonly under-vaccinated. They tend to eat home-cooked local meals, stay in private homes where food safety practices differ from tourist restaurants, and may incorrectly assume cultural familiarity provides biological protection. It does not. First-generation US residents returning to home countries are especially vulnerable.

EFFECTIVENESS

Strong Protection That Starts Before You Depart

A single dose of hepatitis A vaccine produces seroconversion in 94 to 100 percent of healthy adults within four weeks. One dose given at least two weeks before travel provides reliable short-term protection for the vast majority of recipients.

Completing the two-dose series generates approximately 100 percent seroconversion. Mathematical modeling of antibody decay rates suggests protection persists for at least 25 years, and most experts consider the series to confer lifelong immunity. The CDC and ACIP do not currently recommend booster doses for healthy individuals who have completed the two-dose series.

Immune response may be lower in people who are immunocompromised, on dialysis, or have chronic liver disease. Post-vaccination antibody titer testing can be arranged for travelers in these groups who need confirmation of protection before high-risk itineraries.

94 to 100%

After First Dose
Within 4 weeks

~100%

After 2 Doses
Estimated lifelong

2 weeks to lifetime

From first dose to confirmed long-term immunity after completing the series

COST AND INSURANCE

What to Expect at Checkout

Travel vaccines are generally not covered by commercial health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid because they are considered elective rather than medically necessary. That pattern is industry-wide and not specific to TravelBug Health.

At Your Appointment

You’ll be charged for:

  • Travel health consultation (itinerary-based risk assessment)
  • The hepatitis A vaccine itself (Havrix, VAQTA, or Twinrix depending on your needs)
  • Any other vaccines or prescriptions you elect during the visit
  • Second-dose scheduling and documentation

Pricing varies based on services. Call (480) 435-2774 for current pricing. We are transparent so there are no surprises at checkout.

What to Ask Your Insurer

Before your appointment, call the member services number on your insurance card and ask:

  • Does my plan cover travel vaccines, including hepatitis A?
  • What CPT codes apply? Hepatitis A vaccine is typically 90632 for the adult single-antigen dose, plus an office-visit code
  • Do I need pre-authorization?
  • Can I apply HSA or FSA funds to travel vaccination?

For Reimbursement

After your appointment, we provide a detailed itemized receipt with:

  • CPT codes
  • Diagnosis codes
  • Clinician’s NPI
  • Itemized line items for each service

Reimbursement outcome is between you and your insurer. We give you everything needed to file a complete claim.

SAFETY PROFILE

Side Effects and Safety

Hepatitis A vaccine has been administered hundreds of millions of times globally. The safety record is well-established. Here is what to expect.

COMMON. 50 to 60%

Local Reactions

  • Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site (resolves in 1 to 3 days in most people)
  • Warmth or mild induration at the injection site

LESS COMMON. 10 to 15%

Systemic Reactions

  • Headache
  • Fatigue or malaise (typically mild, resolves within 1 to 2 days)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Low-grade fever
  • Nausea

VERY RARE

Severe Allergic Reaction

Anaphylaxis is estimated to occur in approximately 1 per 1 million doses. Signs include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, drop in blood pressure, and rapid pulse. We observe all vaccinated patients for 15 minutes after injection and are equipped to respond to allergic reactions on-site.

No serious neurologic or viscerotropic adverse events are associated with hepatitis A vaccine. Unlike live-attenuated vaccines, the inactivated hepatitis A vaccine cannot cause hepatitis A infection. The vaccine does not contain live virus and poses no replication risk to immunocompromised recipients.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

After Your Hepatitis A Vaccination

1

Protection Timeline

Most healthy adults achieve protective antibody levels 2 to 4 weeks after the first dose. Aim to schedule your vaccination at least two weeks before departure. Earlier is better. Four to six weeks gives us time to address your full travel health plan without rushing any part of the process.

2

Schedule Your Second Dose

The second dose is given 6 to 18 months after the first. Do not skip it. The first dose provides excellent short-term protection. The second dose completes the series and generates immunity estimated to last a lifetime. We send reminders and can administer both doses at our Scottsdale clinic.

3

Food and Water Precautions

The hepatitis A vaccine protects only against HAV. Safe food and water practices remain important for preventing other foodborne illnesses, including typhoid and travelers’ diarrhea, which the vaccine does not cover. Eat cooked foods served hot, avoid raw shellfish, and use sealed bottled water.

4

Other Vaccines to Consider

Destinations where hepatitis A is endemic often carry risk for other vaccine-preventable diseases. Depending on your itinerary, we may also recommend typhoid, hepatitis B, cholera, or malaria prophylaxis. All can be coordinated at your consultation appointment.

WHY A TRAVEL CLINIC

TravelBug vs. Primary Care or Pharmacy

Hepatitis A vaccine is available at some pharmacies, but a vaccine alone is not a travel health plan. Here is how a specialist consultation at TravelBug compares to a standard pharmacy vaccine visit.

TravelBug Health

  • Specialist-led itinerary-based risk assessment
  • Full travel vaccine panel coordinated at one visit
  • Prescription travel medications (malaria, altitude, diarrhea) prescribed on-site
  • Twinrix (Hep A plus Hep B) series managed and tracked here
  • Second-dose scheduling and reminders
  • Same-day or next-day appointments often available

PCP or Retail Pharmacy

  • Limited or general consultation only, not itinerary-based
  • Very limited travel vaccine stock
  • Travel prescriptions generally not available
  • Twinrix availability inconsistent, series tracking variable
  • Second-dose reminders vary by provider
  • Variable scheduling, may not accommodate short lead times

SCHEDULE YOUR VACCINATION

TravelBug Health in Scottsdale

We are a travel medicine clinic in the heart of the Phoenix metro. We see travelers from across the Valley and northern Arizona, and we have the flexible scheduling and travel-medicine specialization that primary-care offices and retail pharmacies cannot match. We administer both the first and second doses of the hepatitis A series and coordinate your complete pre-travel health plan in a single consultation.

TravelBug Health Travel Clinic
8603 E Royal Palm Rd, Suite 120
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Phone: (480) 435-2774
Email: team@travelbughealth.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (by appointment)

Call Now Book Online

Just minutes from across the Valley

North Scottsdale near the 101 and Shea Blvd:

No referral required. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available. Call us with your itinerary and we’ll find a time.

QUESTIONS TRAVELERS ASK

Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing varies based on your specific consultation and services rendered. Call (480) 435-2774 for current pricing before your appointment. We are transparent about costs so there are no surprises. Travel vaccines are typically not covered by commercial insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, though we provide detailed itemized receipts for HSA, FSA, or partial-reimbursement claims.

The standard hepatitis A vaccine series is two doses. The first dose is given before travel and provides protection within 2 to 4 weeks. The second dose is given 6 to 18 months later and completes long-term immunity, estimated to be lifelong. If you need both hepatitis A and hepatitis B protection, Twinrix is given as three doses at 0, 1, and 6 months, or on an accelerated schedule for travelers with less lead time.

Mathematical modeling of antibody persistence data suggests protection lasts at least 25 years after completing the two-dose series, and most experts and the CDC consider the series to provide lifelong protection. Booster doses are not currently recommended for healthy adults who have completed the two-dose series.

At least two weeks before departure is the minimum. A single dose given two weeks before travel provides protective antibody levels in 94 to 100 percent of healthy adults. Ideally, plan four to six weeks ahead so we can coordinate other recommended vaccines, malaria prophylaxis, and any prescriptions you may need without rushing any part of the process.

Yes, for most travelers. Hepatitis A is endemic throughout Mexico, including areas around popular resort destinations. The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for all unvaccinated travelers to Mexico. Exposure can occur through local food, tap water, ice, and raw produce, even at higher-end establishments. If you already received two doses of hepatitis A vaccine, you are protected and do not need additional doses.

Yes. Hepatitis A is endemic throughout Central and South America. The CDC recommends vaccination for all unvaccinated travelers to these regions. Countries including Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil all carry meaningful transmission risk. Even travelers staying in upscale accommodations can be exposed through food prepared with local ingredients.

Western Europe has low endemicity and vaccination is not routinely recommended for travel there. Eastern Europe presents more variability. Parts of Ukraine, Moldova, and the Balkans have intermediate endemicity. If your European itinerary includes extended stays in lower-income communities or humanitarian work, discuss it at your consultation.

Hepatitis A vaccine is an inactivated vaccine containing no live virus. It is not contraindicated during pregnancy the way live-attenuated vaccines are. ACIP guidance states that the vaccine may be administered when the benefit of protection outweighs the theoretical risk to the fetus. If you are pregnant and planning travel to a high-risk destination, we weigh the risks of travel, infection, and vaccination together at your consultation.

Yes. Because the vaccine is inactivated, it is safe for immunocompromised individuals, including those with HIV, cancer, organ transplant recipients, and people on biologics or corticosteroids. The immune response may be lower in these individuals. We can arrange antibody titer testing after vaccination to confirm seroconversion if you need certainty before a high-risk trip.

The most common side effect is soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, which occurs in 50 to 60 percent of recipients and typically resolves within 1 to 3 days. Headache and fatigue occur in 10 to 15 percent of recipients. Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is rare, estimated at approximately 1 per 1 million doses. We observe you for 15 minutes after injection and are equipped to respond to allergic reactions on-site.

If you have confirmed prior hepatitis A infection, you likely have lifelong immunity from natural infection and do not need to be vaccinated. If you are uncertain, a blood test for hepatitis A IgG antibodies can confirm immunity. If the test is positive, vaccination is not necessary. If negative, the vaccine series is indicated. We can order this test at your consultation.

Havrix and VAQTA are both inactivated single-antigen hepatitis A vaccines. They are interchangeable for completing a two-dose series and both require two doses given 6 to 18 months apart. Twinrix is a combination vaccine providing protection against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B. It requires three doses at 0, 1, and 6 months (or on an accelerated schedule). We recommend Twinrix when you need both vaccines, as it reduces the total number of injections.

A single dose given even one to two weeks before departure still provides strong protection. Studies show seroconversion rates of 80 to 90 percent by day 14 and 94 to 100 percent by day 28 in healthy adults. Do not skip the vaccine because your timeline is tight. Come in as soon as possible, get the first dose, and schedule the second dose for 6 to 18 months later when you return.

Yes. The hepatitis A vaccine protects only against the hepatitis A virus. It does not protect against typhoid, E. coli, norovirus, cholera, or the many other pathogens found in contaminated food and water in endemic regions. Practicing food and water safety reduces your overall risk of travelers’ diarrhea and other foodborne illness, which the vaccine cannot prevent.

Most commercial health insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid do not cover travel vaccines, including hepatitis A. Some plans may offer partial reimbursement if you submit a claim with the appropriate CPT and diagnosis codes. HSA and FSA funds can generally be applied. We provide all required receipts and documentation after your visit.

Yes. TravelBug Health is a travel medicine clinic in Scottsdale serving the entire Phoenix metro. We administer both the first and second doses of the hepatitis A series and coordinate your complete travel health plan at the same appointment. Call (480) 435-2774 to schedule.

Ready to Travel With Confidence?

Schedule Your Hepatitis A Vaccination

No referral required. Same-day and next-day appointments often available. We handle the consultation, the vaccine, and your complete pre-travel health plan. All in one visit.

Call (480) 435-2774 Book Online