hepatitis A/B vaccine, anyone got any experience of it?

[thirtysomething]

We are travelling to a civilised region of South Africa that is malaria free etc. but it has been suggested that we and the kids should get a twin hepatitis A?B vaccination just in case. I've looked into potential side effects of the vaccine and they sound quite grim - can't decide whether to put the kids through it, especially as chances of catching either are relatively low. Anyone got any experience or insight?

We live in Africa so we've had both HepA and B. Unless things have changed, though, the twin HepA&B can't be given to children as they need a children's version of HepB. The HepB is a bit sore to get but we didn't have any other side effects. HTH.

No, but I contracted Hep A in 1992 at the age of 21 and it was NOT good. I was in Venezuela at the time and by the time I was well enough to return to the US I'd lost over a stone I really didn't need to lose.

Plus, I cannot donate blood now, apparently.

I've had both, and never had any side effects. Neither is good to get - especially hep B - so if your kids are old enough, I'd probably go for it. I suppose it depends how high the risks are and who suggested it, too.