Published
22 Nov, 2017
Chronic hepatitis B or C infection is the most common risk factor for liver cancer.1 Together these diseases are estimated to cause up to 80% of liver cancer cases globally.2 In Australia, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B is approximately 1% of the population,3 with a higher prevalence occurring in people born in certain countries (such as Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Taiwan and Afghanistan) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.3,8 Studies have shown that the risk of developing liver cancer can be up to 20 times higher in people with chronic hepatitis infection than among the general population.4,5
Summary
Hepatitis B Immunisation coverage is very high in Australian children
In 2015, Hepatitis B immunisation coverage was 95% among Australian children aged 24-27 months.
Hepatitis B Immunisation coverage rates are similar for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian children
In 2014 Hepatitis B immunisation coverage was 95.2% in Indigenous Australian children and 94.6% in non-Indigenous Australian children.
Hepatitis B immunisation coverage rates are similar to other developed countries
Hepatitis B immunisation coverage rates for Australian infants was 95%, and is similar to that seen in most other comparable countries, with almost all economically developed countries having infant coverage rates above 90% for Hepatitis B.
Data
Revision Type
Major
Version Number
1.1