The Hepatitis A vaccine is to be part of the Jordan National Immunization Program for the first time.

Minister of Health Saad Jaber said including the vaccine is a priority in order to protect the future generations, despite an approximate annual cost of JD 3,000,000.

The vaccine will be given to all children within the Kingdom, regardless of their nationality or citizenship status, Director of Communicable Diseases in the Health Ministry, Hadeel al-Sayeh told the Jordan News Agency.

She added, the focus will be on children younger than six years, as they are the most vulnerable to the disease.

The vaccine is given in two doses, six months apart, after the age of one, and is 94% effective in children.

Hepatitis A is a very contagious liver infection. Symptoms of hepatitis A can last up to two months and include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, and jaundice.