HepA
Hepatitis A (HepA)
HepA: 2 doses; first dose from 12 months; second dose at least 6 months after the first (CDC). The Hepatitis A vaccine protects against Hepatitis A.
Not a standard school requirement Aluminum-adjuvanted
Key takeaways
- On the routine, on-time schedule, HepA is a 2-dose series. Delaying the start doesn't change the total number of HepA doses — it spaces them out.
- HepA can be given on a slower, spaced-out schedule. The dose count stays the same, but visits can be spread out. Minimum ages and intervals still apply, and the planner enforces them automatically.
- The HepA products listed on this page use an aluminum adjuvant; the amount per brand is listed on this page from FDA package inserts. If you prefer not to give several aluminum-containing vaccines at one visit, the planner can limit them per visit.
- HepA is generally not required for kindergarten entry, though some states do require it. Check your state's specific rules.
What changes when HepA is delayed?
On the routine, started-on-time schedule, HepA is a 2-dose series. Delaying the start does not always change this, but for several vaccines the CDC's own catch-up rules mean a later start needs fewer total doses. Here is what applies to HepA:
- 2 doses, ≥6 months apart; first dose at/after 12 months.
- Required for school entry in some states only.
- Recommendation status has been in regulatory flux since 2025 (court stay under appeal as of Oct 2026) — confirm current guidance.
The exact timing depends on your child's age and how you space visits. The spaced-out scheduler applies these rules automatically and shows the minimum doses still needed by your deadline. For a fuller look at timing, risks and catch-up, see the delay guide for HepA.
What brands and ingredients does the HepA vaccine have?
The US-licensed products below are listed with their manufacturer, aluminum content, preservative and egg flags, and full ingredient list. Each card links to the official CDC or FDA source. Formulations change — treat these as a starting point, not the final word.
Single-disease brands
Havrix
GSK
Ingredients (7)
- aluminum hydroxide
- MRC-5 cellular proteins
- formalin
- amino acid supplement
- phosphate-buffered saline
- polysorbate 20
- neomycin sulfate
Vaqta
Merck
Ingredients (7)
- amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate
- non-viral protein
- bovine albumin
- formaldehyde
- neomycin
- sodium borate
- sodium chloride
HepA vaccine FAQs
How many doses of HepA does my child need?
On the routine, on-time schedule, HepA is a 2-dose series. Delaying the start doesn't change the total number of HepA doses — it spaces them out.
Can the HepA vaccine be delayed or spaced out?
Yes. HepA can be given on a slower, spaced-out schedule. The dose count stays the same, but visits can be spread out. Minimum ages and intervals still apply, and the planner enforces them automatically.
Does the HepA vaccine contain aluminum?
Yes. The HepA products listed on this page use an aluminum adjuvant; the amount per brand is listed on this page from FDA package inserts. If you prefer not to give several aluminum-containing vaccines at one visit, the planner can limit them per visit.
Is HepA required for school?
HepA is generally not required for kindergarten entry, though some states do require it. Check your state's specific rules. See requirements by state.
Plan HepA on a slower schedule
See how many HepA doses your child would still need and when, on a spaced-out plan that finishes in time for school. Review the result with your child's healthcare practitioner.
Build my plan →Sources
Primary sources only. Links open the publisher's own page.
- CDC Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Catch-up Immunization Schedule (Table 2) (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Child and Adolescent Schedule Notes (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Vaccine Excipient Summary (Pink Book, Appendix B) (opens in a new tab)
- FDA Vaccines Licensed for Use in the United States (opens in a new tab)
- CDC CDC Vaccine Excipient Summary (Appendix B) (opens in a new tab)
- DailyMed FDA/DailyMed PI — Havrix (opens in a new tab)
- DailyMed FDA/DailyMed PI — Vaqta (opens in a new tab)