Preventing hepatitis B

The vaccination is safe and effective and is usually given in three doses over 6 months. In Australia, babies get vaccinated as part of their routine immunisation program. Find out more here.

You can get vaccinated at your doctor’s office, or a sexual health clinic.  People in close contact with someone who has hepatitis B can also get vaccinated at the liver clinic. Find a service near you here.

If you’ve recently had unsafe sex (without a condom) with a person who has hepatitis B or shared injecting equipment, you can get an injection, called immunoglobulin, within 72 hours to prevent you from getting hepatitis B. It’s effective if given within 14 days. To find out more, you can call the Sexual Health Info Line on 1800 451 624.

Other ways you can avoid getting hepatitis B:

• Don’t share personal items like toothbrushes or razors.
• Cover any open wounds (sores, cuts).
• Only get tattoos or piercings from licensed, trained professionals and be cautious about getting them overseas
• Use condoms and lubricants when having sex
• Only use your own or new needles and syringes for injecting drugs and never share other drug-injecting equipment

If you are pregnant, you should have a blood test to check for hepatitis B.

If you have hepatitis B, your baby will be given two injections within 12 hours of birth, an injection called immunoglobulin, and the hepatitis B vaccination. This will help your baby fight the virus. Your baby will also get a dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months-of-age. This can be done by your doctor or community health centre.

Breastfeeding is safe if the baby has been vaccinated against hepatitis B.

Only using your own or new needles, syringes and other equipment is a good way to protect yourself and others from hepatitis B. Free needles and equipment are available from Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) and some chemists.