This article is from the April 1998 The Mexico File newsletter.
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A New Hepatitis A Vaccine

Hepatitis A is a potential danger is you are traveling to Mexico (or Latin America, Africa, southeast Asia, eastern Europe, or the former Soviet Union). This potentially serious liver disease, which is carried in fecal matter, can be contracted through ingesting contaminated food or water. There is now a new hepatitis A vaccine which is safe, has few side effects, and provides protection for at least ten years (although you will need a booster shot 6 to 12 months after the initial injection). Therefore, it is better than the old gamma globulin. However, it is recommended that the shot be given at least four weeks prior to travel, although it can be given up to one week prior to departure. If you have less than a week, the only option is gamma globulin.