Your Liver Deserves Facts, Not Fads

Hello!

Hepatitis A is a serious liver infection that has declined in the U.S. by more than 95% since universal vaccination was introduced in 1996—one of our most effective public health successes. Extensive clinical trials (including placebo-controlled) and decades of global monitoring confirm the hepatitis vaccine is safe and highly effective.^1,2

In January, RFK Jr. and the federal administration moved to remove the hepatitis A vaccine from those routinely recommended for all children.³ Although this has been temporarily blocked by the courts,⁴ the spillover is a rising distrust in routine vaccinations.

This Hepatitis Awareness Month, prioritize protecting these gains by recommending vaccination with clear, evidence-based messaging to eligible patients at every visit.

Prepared by Ajia McAferty, MPH

Vax Northwest Co-Chair

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In the Media

Public health officials are warning of an ongoing hepatitis A outbreak in Manitoba, Canada with a rising cases in Winnipeg.⁵ Washington State’s last outbreak occurred from April 2019 to September 2021.⁶ The CDC continues to monitor hepatitis A activity across the U.S.^7,8

Read the News

Dive Deeper

Is hepatitis A vaccination required for school? No, it's not required in Washington State. It’s a two-dose vaccine typically given at 12- and 18-months.⁹

Read State Requirements

Hepatitis A is common in other countries, and travel can bring it home. “Getting vaccinated vs. Getting hepatitis A” can help parents understand the difference.^10,11,12

Infographic for Parents

Vaccine Information Sheets (VIS) are required by law to be shared with patients. Get the hepatitis A VIS in multiple languages from immunize.org.

Hepatitis A VIS

References

Nelson NP, Ward JW. Hepatitis A prevention in the USA depends on routine universal childhood vaccination. The Lancet. Published online April 22, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00510-6
World Health Organization (WHO). Hepatitis A vaccines: WHO position paper, October 2022. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-wer9740-493-512
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Adopting Revised Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. January 5, 2026. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/decision-memo-adopting-revised-childhood-adolescent-immunization-schedule.pdf
American Academy of Pediatrics v. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., No. 25-11916-BEM. United States District Court, District of Massachusetts; Boston, MA; March 16, 2026.
Province encourages hepatitis A vaccine as cases increase. Discover Westman. https://discoverwestman.com/articles/province-encourages-hepatitis-a-vaccine-as-cases-increase
Washington State Department of Health. Hepatitis A outbreak information. https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/hepatitis-information/hepatitis/hepatitis-outbreak
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hepatitis A outbreaks. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-a/outbreaks/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hepatitis A outbreak basics. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-a/outbreak-basics/index.html
Washington State Department of Health. Child Immunization Schedules (2026). https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-04/348-1090ChildLaminatedImmunizationSchedules.pdf
Let’s Get Real About Vaccines. Hepatitis A (vaccine-preventable disease). https://www.letsgetrealaboutvaccines.org/learn-about-childrens-vaccines/vaccine-preventable-diseases/hepatitis-a
World Health Organization (WHO). Hepatitis A fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-a
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Travel vaccines. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-vaccines

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Founded in 2008, Vax Northwest, a collaborative convened by WithinReach, acts to facilitate the development, research, implementation, and dissemination of interventions to increase vaccine confidence through local, national, and international partnerships and the integration of community voices.

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