Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver and can have long term health implications. The best protection against Hepatitis B is vaccination. Anyone who is not immune to Hepatitis B can be infected with the virus.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is funded for:
- Refugees,
- humanitarian entrants,
- people who inject drugs,
- household and sexual contacts of a hepatitis B positive person.
This free vaccine can be accessed through your family doctor or other immunisation provider (a consultation fee may apply).
Hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for:
- people who have multiple sexual partners
- people with certain chronic medical conditions and impaired immunity
- people with chronic liver disease or Hepatitis C
- people that have an occupational risk, including healthcare workers, embalmers, tattooists and body-piercers, acupuncturists and sex workers
- a resident or staff member of a facility for people with intellectual disabilities
- an inmate or staff member of a long-term correction facility
- people travelling to regions where Hepatitis B is common
- migrants from a country where Hepatitis B is common
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Please Note: the vaccine may not be funded.