Vaccines are created and intended to protect people from serious illnesses. The Hepatitis A and B vaccines protect people from liver inflammation and other symptoms these viruses may cause. Liver cancer and liver failure are possible if you contract the hepatitis A or B virus. Overall, hep A is spread through contaminated foods, and hep B spreads through infected bodily fluids. The two viruses have many similarities but also a few differences.
Most vaccines are safe and effective for people. However, some can cause severe reactions. Side effects might last for a day or two, while more serious effects might persist for much longer, leading to hospitalization or long-term care.
If you experience a severe reaction or injury after a vaccine, call Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates at (888) 891-2816.
What do these vaccines do?
While the vaccine has a similar name and the viruses can stem from a similar place, they are different. It is best to discuss what each vaccine does independently. It is possible to get both vaccines in the same session. But be aware of the differences for each.
Hepatitis A
The hep A virus can cause a contagious liver virus. Often, it lasts a few weeks and is mild. Other cases are severe and can take months to resolve. The worst cases can lead to death. The virus spreads through food, drinks, and contaminated objects. Since it is contagious, it can spread from an infected person. Signs of hep A include:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice
Children under six do not experience any symptoms of hepatitis A if they have the infection. This can make it challenging to treat.
Hepatitis B
Hep B can cause liver infections, too. However, it spreads differently than hep A. This virus spreads through contact with bodily fluids. The bodily fluids of the infected person enter the non infected person. Sometimes, hep B does not show any symptoms in the infected person, making it harder to identify if they are sick. Common symptoms of hep B include:
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
Chronic infections do not often show any signs. If you have chronic hepatitis B, you may experience severe health conditions. Liver cancer or cirrhosis can lead to severe complications and health risks. Vaccines could help prevent the onset of these symptoms. However, you should assess individual risk factors before any injections.
When you should get Hepatitis A and B vaccines
The Hepatitis A and B vaccines are relatively new. They weren’t available to the general public before 1994. That means a significant part of the population does not have these vaccines. Most children will receive their first dose of hep B at birth. They will get the second shot around the two-month mark. The last does happen between the six-month and fifteen-month mark. It is crucial for infants because, according to the CDC, 90% of infants will become chronically infected by hepatitis B.
Regarding the hep A vaccine, children usually get their first dose between one and two years old. A second dose should be administered within six months of the first one. Any adults who did not get the vaccines should also get them. It is safe for most children to get their vaccines within the recommended time frames.
It is recommended that anyone under 19 get the vaccine if they have not already. Additionally, those at an increased risk of contracting the virus should also. This can include people working around blood or traveling to certain countries. It also applies to people with injectable drug use and risky sexual behavior. Certain medical and living situations may also benefit individuals getting these vaccines.
Some groups should not get the vaccine at all. Adults may experience side effects. People who may need to avoid Hepatitis A and B vaccines include:
- Anyone who has an allergic reaction to yeast
- Have previously had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine
- Suffered an allergic reaction to neomycin
If you are sick, you may have to wait for your vaccination until after your recovery. Discuss your concerns and risk factors with your medical team. If you experience a severe reaction or injury, take legal action by calling Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates.
Mild side effects of the vaccines
Mild side effects are common after most vaccines. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are no different. Your body is reacting to a foreign substance in your body. Reactions to vaccines usually subside within a few days or weeks. Often, patients will experience reactions like:
- Fever
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Soreness or redness at the injection site
If you have these symptoms, it is not cause for concern. You should get medical attention immediately if they continue over a week or worsen.
Severe reactions and injuries from Hep A and B vaccines.
Some severe side effects of Hep A and B vaccines include SIRVA, allergic reactions, vasovagal Syncope, ADEM, CIDP, and more. These reactions are correlated with several vaccines. While they are rare, they are also possible. You need immediate medical attention if you suffer from any of these conditions. You may also qualify for payment through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Shoulder Injury related to vaccine administration
Often known as SIRVA, you can get a shoulder injury from vaccine administration. A severe side effect can happen when the vaccine administrator places the vaccine in the wrong part of the arm. Vaccines should be administered in the deltoid muscle. You can suffer a shoulder injury if it is put in the shoulder capsule or too high or deep in your shoulder. SIRVA symptoms include:
- Intense shoulder pain within 48 hours of administration
- Radiating pain in the arm where the vaccine was administered
- Swelling or inflammation on or near the injection site
- Lower range of motion in the arm
SIRVA is a recognized injury for vaccines. Unfortunately, some doctors are unfamiliar with the condition. They could misdiagnose you with another related shoulder injury, such as:
- Shoulder tendonitis
- Rotator cuff injury
- Shoulder bursitis
- Impingement syndrome
- Adhesive capsulitis
Depending on the injury severity, you can treat SIRVA with physical therapy, steroid injections, and surgery. When you see your doctor for a shoulder injury, inform them you have recently gotten the hep A or B vaccines.
Allergic reaction
Our bodies are susceptible to allergic reactions for various things. You may go your entire life eating something when one day you are allergic. While rare, people can experience an allergic reaction from a hepatitis A or B vaccine. If you suffer an allergic reaction, it will happen within a few minutes or hours of your injections. Symptoms often include:
- Sudden and ongoing rash
- Tongue swelling
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing or wheezing
- Hives
- Tightness in your throat
- Inability to speak
Most cases will resolve with a dose from an EpiPen. However, some cases require additional treatment like IV fluids, oxygen, steroids, and antihistamines. When treated immediately, most allergic reactions resolve. However, some severe cases may require supportive care or CPR. If the reaction is not caught in time, the person can die.
Vasovagal Syncope
This syndrome consists of sudden fainting. It can happen when a person has an overreaction to a trigger. After a vaccination, signs that you could be experiencing this syndrome are an increased heart rate and a drop in blood pressure. While sudden fainting isn’t dangerous, it can be if you fall and suffer an injury. You may qualify for compensation if you faint, hit your head, or suffer another injury. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program offers compensation for sudden fainting from vaccines if the person suffers an injury.
GBS
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder. It often happens after a viral infection but can also result from a vaccination. People with this disorder will begin to experience trouble walking, talking, and with general movements. Of all the severe side effects you may encounter, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program does not recognize GBS as a hep A or B reaction. However, it does correlate with the vaccine. Often, patients will experience the onset of GBS within a few weeks of getting a Hep A or B vaccine. It can happen anywhere between three to 42 days after a vaccine.
If you suffer from GBS, you will see signs of numbness or tingling in your hands and feet at the initial onset. You can lose your ability to walk or feel anything over time. This condition doesn’t have a cure, but some treatments can help. Often, patients require inpatient treatment. It can involve plasma exchange therapy or immunoglobulin therapy. A full recovery is typical within six months. Sadly, some patients do not fully recover and will use all functions in their arms or legs.
Most healthcare providers are legally required to report adverse vaccine reactions. Vaccine manufacturers are also required to report. These parties use the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. However, patients and caregivers can also report adverse reactions utilizing this system. The CDC and FDA work in tandem to monitor these reports and assess potential issues with vaccines. They use the data for warnings and safety measures. This report is one crucial step. However, you must also speak to a local vaccine injury attorney for compensation recovery options.
CDC and vaccine safety
Agencies like the CDC and FDA approve and monitor vaccines. When a vaccine or other consumer product is defective or has adverse reactions, these organizations can take steps to improve safety. They will typically inform healthcare providers and officials of the danger. They can also make public statements. The CDC has three programs they use to monitor vaccines.
As discussed, this system is for early warnings about vaccine reactions. Anyone can use the system to report; there are some mandatory reporters.
The CDC monitors and researches vaccine safety with 13 other healthcare organizations. They collect data for this collaboration.
This is another partnership program with the CDC and medical research centers. These centers conduct clinical research and provide expert consultations about vaccines and their health risks.
Pursuing compensation for vaccine-related injuries
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program offers compensation to victims of vaccine injuries. You will have three years to take action. You must meet specific requirements to submit a petition. You must also have supporting documentation. Technically speaking, you can file a petition without legal assistance. While this is possible, it is not recommended.
You could be suffering a long-term condition after a vaccine injury. You cannot trust the system to do the right thing. Your life’s on the line. You should have someone fighting for your rights. It can be challenging to recover compensation through the program without legal assistance. Additionally, attorney fees are paid through the program and not from your pocket or on a contingency fee.
After you file a petition, the court and Special Master will review the facts. They must then determine if your injury does correlate to your vaccine. If they do, then they will move to determine your compensation amount. However, if they disagree, they will request additional documentation to prove your injury resulted from your Hepatitis A and B vaccine.
When the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program approves your petition, they will assess your damages based on four categories, including the following:
- Past and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering up to $250,000
- Medical expenses up to the decision date
- Future estimated medical expenses
You will want the best petition possible to increase your chances of getting the maximum compensation for your vaccine injury. To further increase those chances, speak to a nationwide vaccine injury lawyer from Jeffery S. Pop & Associates. We offer free initial consultations.
Speak to our nationwide vaccine injury lawyer today.
You could be eligible for compensation through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This program is intended to help vaccine injury victims obtain financial recovery for their injuries. However, the process can be complex. There are no guarantees that you will receive any payment. It is best to work with our nationwide vaccine injury attorney. Our representation comes at little to no cost to you. The federal vaccine compensation program pays for reasonable attorney fees. Schedule an initial consultation with Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates by calling (888) 891-2816 to speak with our vaccine injury attorney.