Hepatitis B vaccine information
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It can cause serious disease including permanent liver damage (cirrhosis). Hepatitis B is also the main cause of liver cancer, which can be fatal. Hepatitis B virus is spread from one infected person to another by contact with blood or body fluids. This includes an accidental or intentional poke with a used needle, intimate sexual contact, being splashed in the mouth, nose, or eyes with infected blood, being bitten by an infected person, or by sharing blood-contaminated items such as a toothbrush, dental floss or razor.
Mothers who are infected with hepatitis B virus can pass the virus to their newborn babies during delivery. When infants are infected with hepatitis B virus, they often do not have symptoms but most will stay infected for life. This is why it is important to protect children by getting them immunised at birth. After the virus enters your body, it usually takes 2 to 3 months to develop symptoms or signs of illness. Many people who get hepatitis B show no symptoms and may not know they have the disease. Whether there are signs of illness or not, you can pass the virus on to others.
After the virus enters your body, it usually takes 2 to 3 months to develop symptoms or signs of illness. Many people who get hepatitis B show no symptoms and may not know they have the disease. Whether there are signs of illness or not, you can pass the virus on to others.
Who should get the hepatitis B vaccine?
The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended and funded for:
- Babies at birth (with further doses at 6 weeks, 4 months and 6 months in combination with other vaccines);
- Adolescents aged 13-14 years who did not receive hepatitis B vaccination as an infant;
- Household and sexual contacts of people with hepatitis B;
- Injecting drug users;
- People with chronic liver disease;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; and
- Children born in countries with high rates of hepatitis B.
Vaccination is also recommended, but not funded, for:
- People with HIV or impaired immunity;
- Residents and staff of facilities for people with intellectual disabilities;
- Inmates and staff of long-term correctional facilities;
- Healthcare workers including ambulance personnel and dentists;
- People travelling to countries where hepatitis B is common;
- Police, emergency services staff, members of the armed forces if assigned to duties which may involve exposure; and
- Others at risk including embalmers, tattooists, body piercers and sex industry workers.
Adults and those 16 years of age and older require 3 doses of the vaccine.
What are the benefits of getting the hepatitis B vaccine?
The hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective. It protects against hepatitis B infection and its complications such as permanent liver damage, which can lead to liver cancer and death. When you get immunised, you help protect others as well.