Diseases it protects from

• hepatitis A
• hepatitis B

Who should get this vaccine

This vaccine may be recommended for you if:

• You have liver problems or certain health problems, such as some bleeding disorders.
• You are at higher risk for hepatitis A and B because of your lifestyle, such as using street drugs.
• You plan to travel to an area with a high risk of hepatitis A and B.

This vaccine may be free for people with health problems or lifestyle risks. This vaccine is not free for travel. Ask your healthcare provider if you can get it for free.

If you can’t get the vaccine for free, check with your health insurance provider to see if your plan covers the cost.

Learn more about vaccines for travel.

Who may not be able to get this vaccine

You may not be able to get this vaccine if:

• You have an allergy to any part of the vaccine. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any allergies you may have.
• You had a severe (serious) or unusual side effect after this vaccine or one like it.

If either of these apply, check with your healthcare provider or public health nurse before you get the vaccine.

Although you can get the vaccine if you have a mild illness such as a cold or fever, you should stay home until you are feeling better to prevent spreading your illness to others.

Doses

Most people need 3 doses, which are given over 6 months.

Other vaccines that protect against the same disease

• Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine protects against hepatitis B virus. Students can get this vaccine as part of the school immunization program. Most people born in 1981 or later who went to school in Alberta have had this vaccine.
• DTaP-IPV-Hib-HB protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B. As part of the routine immunization schedule, babies get this vaccine starting at age 2 months.
• Hepatitis A (HAV) vaccine protects against hepatitis A. People get this vaccine if they have liver problems or for travel.
• Vivaxim vaccine protects against hepatitis A and typhoid. People who are travelling to areas where there is risk of hepatitis A and typhoid may get this vaccine.

If you’ve already had hepatitis A or B vaccines, you don’t need the Twinrix vaccine. Check with your healthcare provider if you aren’t sure if you’ve already had hepatitis A or hepatitis B vaccines.

Get the vaccine

If you can get this vaccine for free, contact your local public health or community health centre.

If you want the vaccine and need to pay for it, contact a travel health clinic or talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

How well it works

After you get 3 doses as recommended, protection is about:

• 95% to 100% for hepatitis A
• 95% to 100% for hepatitis B

Safety

Vaccine safety is a top priority. Canada uses extremely safe vaccines. Learn more about vaccine safety in Canada, including how vaccines are monitored for continued safety, and ingredients in vaccines.

Side effects

There can be side effects from the Twinrix vaccine, but they tend to be mild and go away in a few days. Side effects may include:

• redness where you had the needle that may look red on lighter skin or purple on darker skin
• swelling, or feeling sore where you had the needle
• feeling tired or unwell, or getting upset easily
• headache
• fever
• not feeling hungry or not wanting to eat (poor appetite)
• feeling sick to your stomach, vomiting, or loose stool (diarrhea)

At least 1 out of 100 people who got this vaccine reported 1 or more of these side effects. In some cases, it is unknown if the vaccine caused these side effects.

It's important to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after your vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.

It’s rare to have a serious side effect. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects.

How to manage side effects

• To help with soreness and swelling, put a cool, wet cloth over the area where you had the needle.
• There is medicine to help with fever or pain. Check with your healthcare provider if you aren’t sure what medicine or dose to take. Follow the directions on the package.
• Some people with health problems, such as a weak immune system, must call their healthcare provider if they get a fever. If you’ve been told to do this, call your healthcare provider even if you think the fever is from the vaccine.

There can be mild, short-term side effects after getting a vaccine. Find tips to manage these side effects at home.