Classification:
Combination vaccine (Hepatitis A & B)
Form:
- Intermuscular injection
Who Should be Vaccinated?:
- Men who have sex with men
- People infected with HIV
- People traveling to areas with a high occurrence of Hepatitis A or B
- Indicated for persons 18 years of age or older
Instructions:
Twinrix is given in a series of three doses
- the first dose on day 0
- another dose 1 month later
- the third dose 5 months after that.
Important Note! - All three doses must be given within 6 months.
Side Effects:
- soreness at the injection site
- headache
- fatigue
Contraindications:
The Twinrix vaccine is contraindicated in people with:
- known hypersensitivity to neomycin
- known hypersensitivity to yeast
Special Note:
Depending on immune system strength, Twinrix may not illicit an antibody response. Talk with your doctor for more information about alternative dosing for those people with weak immune systems.
For More Information:
For more information on the Twinrix vaccine try About.com's Drug Finder.
