Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver. It can cause long-term liver damage and liver cancer.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you from hepatitis B.
Who should get vaccinated against hepatitis B
Anyone who wants to protect themselves against hepatitis B can talk to their vaccination provider about getting vaccinated.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends Hepatitis B vaccination for specific groups including:
- infants
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- people who are immunocompromised
- people with medical risk factors
- people whose occupation increases their risk of acquiring hepatitis B
- travellers to hepatitis B–endemic areas who may be at increased risk
- people whose circumstances increase their risk of acquiring hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for babies within 7 days of being born, and children aged 2 months, 4 months and 6 months.
Eligible people under 20 years old and refugees and other humanitarian entrants of any age can get a free catch-up vaccination. This is if they did not receive the vaccines in childhood and it is recommended to receive the vaccine.
Hepatitis B vaccines should not be given to:
- people who have had anaphylaxis after a previous dose of any hepatitis B vaccine or anaphylaxis after any component of a hepatitis B vaccine
- people who have had anaphylaxis to yeast.
Hepatitis B vaccine is not generally recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Read more about Getting vaccinated.
How to get vaccinated against hepatitis B
Hepatitis B vaccines come as a single vaccine or as a combination vaccine that also protects against other diseases.
Hepatitis B vaccines include:
- Engerix-B - PDF 27 KB*
- H-B-Vax II - PDF 22 KB*
- Infanrix hexa - PDF 143 KB*
- Vaxelis – PDF 264 KB*
- Hexaxim - PDF 25 KB
- Twinrix Junior (360/10) - PDF 127 KB
- Twinrix (720/20) - PDF 127 KB.
* Indicates National Immunisation Program vaccine.
Your vaccination provider will tell you which vaccine they will give you.
Find product information and consumer medicine information for each available vaccine from the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Where to get vaccinated
You can get your vaccine from a range of vaccination providers. Find out where and more about your vaccination visit at getting vaccinated.
Possible side effects of hepatitis B vaccination
You may experience minor side effects following vaccination. Most reactions are mild and last no more than a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.
Common side effects of hepatitis B vaccines include:
- pain, redness and swelling at injection site
- occasionally an injection-site lump (may last many weeks - no treatment needed)
- mild fever.
Talk to your vaccination provider about possible side effects of hepatitis B vaccines, or if you or your child have possible side effects that worry you.
The Consumer Medicine Information available on the Therapeutic Goods Administration website lists the ingredients and side effects of each vaccine.
Learn more about the possible side effects of vaccination.