Hepatitis B vaccine

Hepatitis B is a serious viral illness that can cause inflammation of the liver, chronic liver failure and liver cancer. Fortunately, there is a vaccine available that can prevent people being infected with the hepatitis B virus.

Vaccination recommendations

The National Immunisation Program Schedule recommends hepatitis B vaccination for all children at birth, followed by 3 doses at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Catch-up vaccination at 10 to 13 years is recommended for children who have missed being vaccinated.

For adults and children who have not been vaccinated as part of the schedule, a simple course of 3 injections, the second and third given one and 6 months after the first, will give long-lasting protection. The vaccine is readily available and relatively inexpensive.

Vaccination is recommended for adults who are at increased risk of hepatitis B infection and those at increased risk of severe disease. Adults at increased risk include:

• people living with, or in prolonged close contact with, a person with hepatitis B;
• sexual contacts of those with hepatitis B;
• migrants from areas where there are high rates of hepatitis B infection (including East and Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific Islands);
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
• people with kidney failure who need dialysis;
• people with HIV infection or other problems with their immune system;
• people with liver disease and/or hepatitis C;
• people who inject drugs;
• residents and staff of facilities for people with developmental disabilities;
• inmates and staff of correctional facilities;
• people working in certain occupations, such as healthcare and emergency services workers; and
• travellers to countries where there are high rates of hepatitis B infection.

If you are unsure about whether you have been vaccinated or previously exposed to hepatitis B, ask your doctor about having a blood test to check for antibodies to the hepatitis virus.

Risks and side effects

The most common side effects associated with hepatitis B vaccination include soreness around the injection area and fever. The birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine is very well tolerated and is not associated with an increased risk of fever. Severe allergic reactions in adults have been very rarely reported.