Hepatitis B Vaccination in Gold Coast, QLD
Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can result in acute and chronic diseases, with potential long-term complications such as liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
With the disease posing a significant risk among certain high-risk groups, our team is here to provide accessible hepatitis B immunisation to Gold Coast community members. With proper vaccination and knowledge of the disease, you can be protected and safe from its serious effects.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B transmission occurs in two ways: perinatal or horizontal. Perinatal transmission happens when the mum passes the infection to the child at birth, whereas horizontal transmission is when an individual gets exposed to infected blood, vaginal fluids, or semen.
The infection can be acute (short and severe) or chronic (long-term). Acute infections last less than six months and are more likely to be cleared by the body’s immune system. Chronic cases, on the other hand, may last a lifetime and can lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The risk of acquiring chronic hepatitis B is higher in newborns and children under the age of 5 compared to older individuals. Chronic infections can remain undetected for many years until a person becomes seriously ill from liver disease.
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Call (07) 5599 1400
More About Us!
Clinic Hours:
- Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5pm
- Saturday 8:30am – 2.30pm
- Sunday 9:00am – 12.00pm
- Public Holidays – Please call the centre for more information.
Email us: office@coolmedical.com.au
Find us at 91 Griffith Street, Coolangatta, QLD
Or Call (07) 5599 1400
Hepatitis A vs. Hepatitis B: A Quick Comparison
Hepatitis A |
Hepatitis B |
|
|
Transmission |
Consuming contaminated food or water, exposure to faeces |
Exposure to infected blood, semen, or other bodily fluids, mother-to-child transmission |
|
Symptoms |
Body aches and pains, lack of appetite, dark urine, followed by jaundice or yellowing of the eyes or skin |
Often doesn’t have symptoms, but can sometimes cause jaundice, dark urine, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and joint pain |
|
Window period (from the time between the exposure to the appearance of the infection in the blood test or HBsAg test) |
2-4 weeks |
4-6 weeks |
|
Treatment |
No specific treatment is needed but it requires adequate rest and staying hydrated. Complementary therapies may be needed to manage symptoms but care is needed to avoid potential liver damage. |
No specific treatment for hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B can be treated with oral medicines. |
|
Prevention |
Vaccination, proper hygiene, and practising safer sex. Sexual partners or household contacts of an infected individual should receive immunoglobulin for short-term protection. |
Vaccination, avoiding blood-to-blood contact, practising safer sex, and avoiding sharing needles and other drug-injecting equipment. Newborn babies should receive immunoglobulin within 12 hours of birth. |
Why is Hepatitis B Vaccination Important in Australia?
In Australia, about 1 in 100 people have chronic hepatitis B. Many of them, however, are unaware they have it.
The majority of the people affected by chronic hepatitis B in Australia include those born in endemic areas overseas, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, people who inject drugs, and men who engage in sexual intercourse with the same sex. Other high-risk groups for hepatitis B in Australia include people whose parents were born in overseas endemic areas, as well as those who have been exposed to the infection through sexual or medical means prior to standard blood donation screening procedures.3
You can protect yourself against hepatitis B and its potential long-term effects by getting vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine in Gold Coast is safe and highly effective, providing a protective antibody response against the disease. It is especially important for the following:
- Infants
- Children and adolescents
- Adults at increased risk of catching the disease, including healthcare workers, travellers to high-risk areas, and people with chronic liver disease
Accessible and Comprehensive Hepatitis B Shot in Gold Coast
In line with our commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare services, we offer accessible hepatitis B vaccination for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Our Coolangatta doctor for hepatitis B vaccination is here to ensure you receive the best care and support. This includes personalised vaccination plans tailored to your needs and risk factors as well as follow-up care to monitor your response and schedule any necessary booster doses.
Our team of doctors at Coolangatta Medical Centre offer all necessary vaccinations and health advice to keep yourself protected, including typhoid fever, cholera, and COVID-19, as well as other travel vaccinations. Schedule your vaccination with us today and take the first step to safeguarding your health.
Our Team of Doctors
Our team of Travel Doctors in Gold Coast share their expertise in vaccinations required by law for entry to a country as well as the specific precautions needed and the vaccinations recommended for general protection against diseases. Always seek medical advice from travel doctors at least a month before your trip to learn more about the necessary vaccinations required before visiting your destination.
Dr Mary McDevitt
Dr Kerrie Davis
Dr Michaelia Verbeek
Dr Russell O’Brien
Areas We Serve
Coolangatta Medical Centre offers a comprehensive range of hepatitis A vaccines in the following areas in Gold Coast, Australia:
- Tweed Heads
- Tweed Heads South
- Tweed Heads West
- Bilinga
- Cobaki Lakes
- Tugun
Other Medical Services We Offer:
Apart from drug and alcohol screening procedures, Coolangatta Medical Centre offers a spectrum of specialised services designed to ensure your holistic wellness. From preventive care to advanced diagnostics, our commitment to your health knows no bounds.
Payment Methods:
Full fee upfront is payable on the day of your appointment and will be processed with a credit/debit card token provided at the time of booking.
Medicare rebate is processed for you on your behalf by the administration team and will go back into the account that you have nominated with Medicare within 24 to 48 hours. For more information about Medicare rebates, see our FAQs page.
Out of pocket fee is the amount of money that you will be out of pocket after Medicare has processed your rebate.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Common Questions about Hepatitis Vaccines)
Are hepatitis vaccines safe?
The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective, providing protection against the disease in 95 of every 100 vaccinated people.4
How is hepatitis B transmitted?
Hepatitis B is spread through contact with an infected person’s blood, vaginal fluids, or semen. This can occur through sexual contact or by sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection tools. Hepatitis B can also be passed from a mum to her baby at birth.
Are there different types of hepatitis vaccines?
In Australia, there are two types of vaccines available: monovalent and combination ones. Monovalent vaccines target a single strain of a disease (hepatitis B). Combination vaccines, on the other hand, target multiple diseases or strains in a single shot. For more information, visit the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Who should get vaccinated for hepatitis B?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns, children up to 18 years of age, and all adults at higher risk of infection.
How many doses of the hepatitis B vaccine are needed?
The Australian Immunisation Handbook outlines these vaccine recommendations for the following demographic groups:
- Infants: 4 doses (1 dose of monovalent hepatitis B vaccine at birth, 3 doses of DTPa-hepB-IPV-Hib vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months of age)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: 3 doses
- Infants and children with HIV: 3 doses
- Adults with HIV: 4 larger-than-usual doses
- Dialysis patients and those with severely impaired renal function: 4 doses (double dose on each occasion) or 3 doses
- People with imminent risk of exposure: 4 doses
- People who have received a haematopoietic stem cell transplant: 3 doses
- People with chronic liver disease and/or hepatitis C: 3 doses
- Preterm and low-birthweight infants: 5 doses, including a booster dose at 12 months of age
- People with increased risk of infection who receive blood products: 3 doses
- People with developmental disabilities who attend daycare facilities: 3 doses
What are the side effects of hepatitis vaccines?
The most common side effects include pain, soreness, or redness in the injection site, headache, and fatigue. These side effects are usually mild and only last for one to two days.
How long does hepatitis vaccination last?
The protection from hepatitis B vaccine can last for at least 20 years and even for a lifetime. Booster shots, which are mostly required for other vaccines to increase levels of immune response, are not usually required for people who have completed the three-dose vaccination series for hepatitis B.5
Can I get a combination vaccine for Hepatitis A and B?
Yes. Twinrix vaccines are combination vaccines for hepatitis A and B available in Australia. Both Twinrix (720/20) and Twinrix Junior (360/10) are administered through intramuscular injection.
What if I think I've been exposed to hepatitis?
If you believe you’ve been exposed to an infected individual or you notice the onset of the symptoms of hepatitis B, seek medical advice immediately. Receiving a preventive treatment within 24 hours of being exposed to the virus can lower the likelihood of infection.
