Prevention
- Vaccinate clients/patients at high risk of infection including persons experiencing homelessness, who use drugs, who have chronic liver disease, and men who have sex with men.
- Test clients/patients with symptoms of hepatitis A: fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, jaundice, and clay or grey colored stools. Massachusetts law requires doctors to report cases of hepatitis A to the local board of health where the patient lives.
- Educate clients/patients about handwashing hygiene and provide handwashing facilities (including portable handwashing units) for clients and staff.
- Clean high touch surfaces with a diluted bleach solution (1:100) or disinfectant labeled by the EPA as active against feline calicivirus, norovirus or hepatitis A virus, or as sporicidal.
- Connect clients/patients to sterile injection and other drug consumption equipment provided by local harm reduction programs.
Clinical guidance
- CDC MMWR Prevention of Hepatitis A Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2020
- CDC MMWR Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for Use of Hepatitis A Vaccine for Persons Experiencing Homelessness
- Hepatitis A VIS (view other languages)
- Hepatitis A Standing Orders for adults
- Hepatitis A Standing Orders for children
- Emergency Treatment Standing Orders for adults
- Emergency Treatment Standing Orders for children
- Vaccination Screening Checklist for adults
- Vaccination Screening Checklist for children
- MIIS Fact Sheet (PDF) | (DOC)
- HAVRIX, Package Insert (PDF)
- VAQTA, Package Insert
- CDC Guide for addressing vaccine hesitancy among clients
Holding a vaccination clinic
- DPH Guidelines for Vaccination Clinics (PDF) l (DOC)
- CDC’s Mass Vax Clinics: Planning Activities
- Immunize.org’s Supplies You May Need at an Immunization Clinic
- CDC’s Considerations for Planning Vaccination Clinics
- CDC’s Satellite, Temporary, and Off-Site Vaccination Clinic Supply Checklist
- National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS) Tools to Assist Satellite, Temporary, and Off-Site Vaccination Clinic