Hepatitis A vaccination program - common questions & answers for the public
State and Territory information:
Questions and answers about hepatitis A, eligibility and recommended age groups for free hepatitis A vaccine.
What is hepatitis A and why has the free vaccine been introduced to the National Immunisation Program?
Who is eligible for free hepatitis A vaccine?
Why is this vaccine only being offered to Indigenous children?
When did the free hepatitis A vaccine become available for eligible children?
How many doses of vaccine will my child need to be fully immunised against hepatitis A?
At what age will my child be vaccinated against hepatitis A (if eligible)?
Will I need a prescription from my doctor first?
Will the new vaccine recommendations affect my eligibility for family benefit payments?
More information
What is hepatitis A and why has the free vaccine been introduced to the National Immunisation Program?
Hepatitis A is a viral illness which causes inflammation of the liver. Symptoms can include fever, weakness, lack of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort and jaundice (yellow colouring of eyes, skin and urine). Some people who become infected with the virus have no symptoms, others have a mild disease which lasts a few weeks, while others have a severe and disabling illness lasting several months. In rare cases the disease is fatal. By immunising children under five we not only protect them, we also prevent the spread of hepatitis A to older children and adults who are at risk of more serious disease.Hepatitis A caused the deaths of six Indigenous children in north Queensland and Western Australia in recent years. A vaccination program in north Queensland has been successful in reducing the risk of hepatitis A in Indigenous communities. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has, therefore, recommended the wider use of this vaccine for Indigenous children in areas of Australia with a high risk of hepatitis A.
Who is eligible for free hepatitis A vaccine?
All Indigenous children aged under five years living in Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.This program will be administered as an ongoing program and a catch-up program. Children aged under two years will receive the vaccine as part of the ongoing program and children aged two to five years will receive the vaccine as part of the ‘catch-up’ program, which will finish in 2007.
Parents or guardians of eligible children should contact their State or Territory Health Department for more details.
As a hepatitis A vaccination program has been running in North Queensland since 1999, most children over two years of age have been immunised against hepatitis A in this region. Therefore, it is not necessary for children over two years old in this region to be provided with the free vaccine.
Why is this vaccine only being offered to Indigenous children?
Free hepatitis A vaccine is being offered to Indigenous children in Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia as these children are at greatest risk of catching the disease. Hepatitis A is endemic in many remote Indigenous communities in these jurisdictions, with a resulting high incidence of hepatitis A among Indigenous children.The north Queensland program has shown that by vaccinating Indigenous children, cases of hepatitis A no longer occur in Indigenous children, non-Indigenous children, or adults.
When did free hepatitis A vaccine become available for eligible children?
Free hepatitis A vaccine was available from 1 November 2005 to eligible children.The ‘catch-up’ program is being administered by the State and Territory health departments from 1 November 2005. Parents or guardians of eligible children should contact their health care provider, doctor or State or Territory Health Department for more details.
How many doses of vaccine will my child need to be fully immunised against hepatitis A?
Your child will need two doses of hepatitis A vaccine to be fully immunised against hepatitis A. The first dose should be given after 12 months of age, while the second dose should be given six (6) months after the first dose. At what age will my child be vaccinated against hepatitis A (if eligible)?
This varies depending on which State/Territory you live in.Contact your health care provider, doctor or State or Territory Health Department for more details.
Will I need a prescription from my doctor first?
No, you do not need to get a prescription first. Contact your health care provider, doctor or State or Territory Health Department for advice on who will be providing this vaccine in your jurisdiction.Will the new vaccine recommendations affect my eligibility for family benefit payments?
Assessment of your child's immunisation status on the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) (Medicare Australia) for family benefit payments will not change.More information
Contact your health care provider, doctor or State or Territory Health Department for more details.Page last modified: 23 November, 2005