Recommendations for administering hepatitis A vaccine to contacts of international adoptees

Abstract

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend routine administration of hepatitis A vaccine for household members and close contacts, including baby-sitters, when children are adopted from countries with high or intermediate rates of hepatitis A infection. This policy expands previous AAP recommendations to immunize travelers to countries who are seeking to adopt a child in countries with high or medium hepatitis A endemicity. All previously nonimmune unvaccinated people who anticipate close exposure to international adoptees during the 60 days after their arrival should receive hepatitis A immunization, ideally 2 or more weeks before the arrival of the adopted child. Copyright © 2011 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.