course of vaccination with Twinrix® consists of three doses. The first dose is administered at the elected date, the second one month later and the third dose six months after the first dose (0, 1, 6 month schedule).2 The alternate schedule should be used where completion of the two-dose vaccination course can be assured, such as school-based vaccination programs.

A rapid schedule of three injections given at 0, 7 and 21 days may be an option when travel is anticipated within one month after initiating the vaccination course and where insufficient time is available for the standard schedule. When the rapid schedule is applied, a fourth dose is recommended 12 months after the first dose

The alternate dosing schedule, for children and adolescents only (ages 1 to 15 years), consists of two doses of Twinrix®. The first dose is administered at the elected date and the second between six and twelve months after the first dose. The alternate schedule should be used where completion of the two-dose vaccination course can be assured, such as school-based vaccination programs

A rapid schedule of three injections given at 0, 7 and 21 days may be an option when travel is anticipated within one month after initiating the vaccination course and where insufficient time is available for the standard schedule. When the rapid schedule is applied, a fourth dose is recommended 12 months after the first dose

The most common side effects reported with a three- or four-dose schedule are redness, swelling and pain at the site of injection, headache, malaise, nausea and fatigue. The most common side effects reported with a two dose schedule are redness, swelling and pain at the site of injection, fatigue, headache, irritability/fussiness, loss of appetite, fever, drowsiness, and gastro-intestinal symptoms

For the hepatitis A component, antibodies against hepatitis A virus have been predicted to persist for at least 20 years (based on mathematical calculations) following the completion of the vaccination series

For the hepatitis B component, following vaccination with the hepatitis B vaccine, protection has been shown to last for at least 15 years.

Some patients may have a reduced response to the vaccine, or a reduced duration of protection due to concomitant disease, medical conditions or medications

We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you might have regarding your medical conditions and vaccination with your physician or pharmacist as he or she is in the best position to advise you on your medical concerns.

People who have a fever or anything more serious than a minor cold should postpone vaccination.2 Pregnant women should also hold off vaccination, unless immediate vaccination is recommended by a doctor
Is there anything else you can do to protect yourself and your friends?

By reading this page, you are taking an important first step towards learning how to protect yourself from hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Once you have been vaccinated, encourage your co-workers and friends to speak with their doctor to determine if vaccination is appropriate for them. Also, be sure that everyone you work with follows safety precautions that minimize any exposure to blood and body fluids.

Before you travel, you may need other inoculations or medications besides those discussed on this site. Talk to your doctor to find out if there are other disease risks at your travel destination and how you can protect yourself.

Twinrix® does not protect against hepatitis C and hepatitis E. The most common side effects reported with a three- or four-dose schedule are redness, swelling and pain at the site of injection, headache, malaise, nausea and fatigue. The most common side effects reported with a two-dose schedule are redness, swelling and pain at the site of injection, fatigue, headache, irritability/fussiness, loss of appetite, fever, drowsiness, and gastro-intestinal symptoms. Twinrix® is a registered trademark, used under license by GlaxoSmithKline Inc.