Questions & Answers about Hepatitis B Vaccination
Q. What is hepatitis B disease?Q. How is hepatitis B spread?
Q. Should my child be vaccinated?
Q. How many doses are required for this course?
Q. What are the components of the vaccine?
Q. What are the side effects of hepatitis B vaccine?
Q. What is “anaphylaxis”?
Q. How long does the vaccine course last and are booster doses necessary?
Q. Will my child be protected against hepatitis B if he/she only receives one dose of hepatitis B vaccine?
Q. What should I do if I have no recordsor I cannot remember if my child hasalready received a course of hepatitisB injections?
Q. My child has already received a threedosecourse of hepatitis B injections.Does he/she need another dose?
Q. My child has received a Hib vaccine.Will this protect my child againsthepatitis B?
Q. What can I do if I do not wish my childto be vaccinated at school or if mychild missed out on vaccine at schoolbecause of illness or absence on theday of the nurses’ visit?
Q. Is vaccination compulsory for this campaign?
Q. Should I give my child a dose of paracetamol before going to school on the day of the clinic?
Q. What if my child has asthma and takes cortisone or prednisone by a “puffer”?
Q. Should the vaccine be given to a young woman who is or thinks she may be pregnant?
Q. Do homoeopathic preparations protect against hepatitis B?
Q. Will I receive a record of the vaccinations that my child received?
Q. Where can I find more information about immunisation?
Q. What is hepatitis B disease?
Q. How is hepatitis B spread?
A. Hepatitis B can be spread through:
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Sharing injecting equipment
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Tattooing or body piercing with un-sterile equipment
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Needle stick injury
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Unsafe sex
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From infected mother to her baby at birth and through breastfeeding
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Child-to-child, usually through contact between open sores or wounds.
Q. Should my child be vaccinated?
A. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends that all children between 10 to 13 years of age receive hepatitis B vaccination unless they have already received a course of the vaccine as a baby/child.
Q. How many doses are required for this course?
A. In this school program, hepatitis B vaccine will be given in a 2-dose course with the second dose given four to six months after the first.
Q. What are the components of the vaccine?
A. The vaccine contains hepatitis B protein, aluminium hydroxide and yeast.
Q. What are the side effects of hepatitis B vaccine?
A. Side effects are minor and include; soreness at the injection site (5%), low grade fever (2-3%), nausea, dizziness, muscle and joint pain.
Q. What is "anaphylaxis"?
A. "Anaphylaxis" is a severe allergic reaction that may result in unconsciousness and death if not treated quickly. It occurs rarely after vaccination. The nurses are fully trained in the treatment of anaphylaxis.
Q. How long does the vaccine course last and are booster doses necessary?
A. The course of hepatitis B vaccine provides long lasting protection and booster doses are not necessary.
Q. Will my child be protected against hepatitis B if he/she only receives one dose of hepatitis B vaccine?
A. No. Adolescents require two adult doses of vaccine to be protected againsthepatitis B disease.
Q. What should I do if I have no recordsor I cannot remember if my child hasalready received a course of hepatitisB injections?
A. It is safe for your child to receive another course of hepatitis B vaccine.
Q. My child has already received a threedosecourse of hepatitis B injections.Does he/she need another dose?
A. No. One course of vaccine is all that is required.
Q. My child has received a Hib vaccine.Will this protect my child againsthepatitis B?
A. No. Hib vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b and therefore will not protect your child against hepatitis B.
Q. What can I do if I do not wish my childto be vaccinated at school or if mychild missed out on vaccine at schoolbecause of illness or absence on theday of the nurses' visit?
A. Whilst your child is in year 7 you can take your child to your GP to receive a threedose course of vaccines (child preparation) over a 6-month period. It is advisable to inform the practice that your child requires hepatitis B vaccination when making the appointment.
Q. Is vaccination compulsory for this campaign?
A. No. Parents can choose whether or not to sign the Consent Form and have their child vaccinated. Only those children with a Consent Form completed and signed will be vaccinated. All Parents/Guardians are asked to read the information provided and return the signed Consent Form. DO NOT return the form if you DO NOT wish your child to be vaccinated.
Q. Should I give my child a dose of paracetamol before going to school on the day of the clinic?
Q. What if my child has asthma and takes cortisone or prednisone by a "puffer"?
A. It is safe to vaccinate children with hepatitis B vaccine if they use a "puffer" for asthma.
Q. Should the vaccine be given to a young woman who is or thinks she may be pregnant?
A. No. Any young woman who is or thinks she may be pregnant should not be vaccinated.
Q. Do homoeopathic preparations protect against hepatitis B?
A. No. There is no evidence that homoeopathic preparations prevent hepatitis B disease.
Q. Will I receive a record of the vaccinations that my child received?
A. Your child will be given a record after the first dose and another after the second dose. It is important that you advise your GP that these vaccinations have been given, as universities, colleges, workplaces and other countries often require this information. Please store this record in a safe place for future reference.
Q. Where can I find more information about immunisation?
A. The Australian Immunisation Handbook (current Edition) provides detailed information about immunisation. It can be found at www.immunise.health.gov.au
