Hepatitis B included in Immunisation Schedule

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Children born from May 1, 2000 can be vaccinated against hepatitis B during their routine immunisation schedule instead of waiting until 12 years of age, Health Minister John Day said today.
New combination vaccines now available in Australia prompted the National Health and Medical Research Council to recommend the inclusion of universal hepatitis B vaccinations in the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule.
The current hepatitis B vaccination at 12 years of age will continue in Western Australia for children born before the new schedule was introduced.
"I am pleased to announce that the Commonwealth Government has agreed to provide additional funding for the vaccine as part of a national plan to vaccinate all Australian children against hepatitis B," Mr Day said.
"I urge all parents to check that their child is fully immunised and to contact their doctor if they have any questions concerning routine immunisation.
"The introduction of universal hepatitis B vaccination now gives us an opportunity not only to eliminate new infections, but to look forward to the reduction in liver cancer rates in the future."
Vaccines normally given at two, four and six months can now be given with the combined hepatitis B vaccines, one of which is a combination of diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough with hepatitis B and the other hepatitis B combined with Hib vaccine. The latter will be part of the routine Schedule in WA, and will be given at two, four and 12 months.
Media contact: Carole Cowling 9213 6600