In the lead up to World Hepatitis Day on Tuesday 28 July, the Northern Territory Government has made available funding to expand hepatitis B vaccination among Indigenous Territorians.

The new arrangement means Indigenous Territorians under 50 years of age, who have not been fully vaccinated, will be eligible for free hepatitis B vaccination until December 2015.

Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Unit Section Head Dr Matthew Thalanany said the Northern Territory has the highest prevalence of hepatitis B in the country at 1.7 per cent overall with Indigenous Australians accounting for 60 per cent of those living with chronic hepatitis B.

“Hepatitis B infection can lead to scarring of the liver, liver cancer or liver failure if left untreated, but is preventable by vaccination,” said Dr Thalanany.

“We encourage Indigenous Territorians under 50 years of age to call Clinic 34 or their local health service provider to arrange free hepatitis B screening and vaccination today.”

Hepatitis B can be transmitted through exposure to bodily fluids of an infected person. It is most commonly acquired through mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy and birth, through unprotected sex or through non-sterile injecting equipment.

Hepatitis B is preventable by vaccination.

While vaccination coverage among infants and children is high at more than 90 per cent, coverage is lower among adults over 25 years of age, who were born before universal vaccination commenced in 1990.

media contact: Lorraine Hook 0427 596 954