Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are two different viral liver infections. At Your Community Pharmacy in Newport you can have the hepatitis A and B vaccines separately or as a single combined course, from age 5 with no appointment. The pharmacist starts by checking what you have already had, as many Australians received hepatitis B vaccine as babies.
Two infections, two ways to catch them
Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated raw, frozen or undercooked food, water or ice, and through close personal contact. For many people the main risk comes with overseas travel to places where it is common; our article on pharmacy travel vaccines covers the wider picture.
Hepatitis B passes through blood and other body fluids, for example shared needles, razors or toothbrushes, sexual contact, or tattooing with unclean equipment. Babies are offered their first hepatitis B dose at birth, ideally within 24 hours, under the National Immunisation Program.
Separate and combined vaccines
The hepatitis A vaccine is two doses, 6 to 12 months apart. Adult hepatitis B vaccine is usually three doses over six months, with a faster schedule available. If you need protection against both, a combined vaccine such as Twinrix means fewer injections: adults usually have three doses, at the start, one month later and six months later, according to the Immunisation Handbook.
For adults leaving soon there is an accelerated schedule of the combined vaccine, with doses on day 0, day 7 and day 21 and a further dose at 12 months. You will be given your next due dates.
Who should consider the hepatitis A and B vaccines
- Travellers to regions where hepatitis A or B is common.
- Healthcare workers and others who may come into contact with blood at work.
- Household and sexual contacts of someone living with hepatitis B.
- People who inject drugs.
- Adults who missed hepatitis B as children or are unsure whether they had it.
Children under 5 need a GP or immunisation clinic rather than a pharmacy.
When hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines are free
Under the NSW Health pharmacist eligibility table:
- hepatitis B catch-up doses are free under the National Immunisation Program for people aged 5 to 19, and for refugees and humanitarian entrants
- NSW funds hepatitis B vaccine for Aboriginal people, household and sexual contacts of people with hepatitis B, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and sex workers
- hepatitis A vaccine is state funded only for managing a known exposure, so for travel it is a private cost
Otherwise the price depends on the vaccine and number of doses. Ask the pharmacist about cost and eligibility before the first dose, or contact us by phone.
Having your doses at the pharmacy
Bring photo ID, your Medicare card if you have one and any record of earlier hepatitis doses. The pharmacist checks your health and medicines, gives the injection in the private consultation area and records it. Later doses can be fitted into any visit while we are open, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm or Saturday 9am to 1pm. If your trip also calls for rabies or Japanese encephalitis protection, the doses can often be planned together. Africa and South America may also mean yellow fever, which only approved clinics give. The walk-in vaccination service page lists every vaccine we give.
Common questions
Do I need hepatitis B vaccine if I had it as a baby?
Usually not. Boosters are not routinely recommended for people with a healthy immune system who completed the course, though some people with weakened immunity do need them. The pharmacist will check your records first.
Is the combined vaccine better than two separate ones?
It covers both infections with fewer injections. Separate vaccines suit people who need only one, or who already have some doses.
Where can I read more before I come in?
Our pharmacy FAQs answer general questions, and the health services page lists everything else available in store.