On 11 December 2025, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) released a statement on the importance and safety of hepatitis B vaccination at birth.
ATAGI outlines reasons for their birth dose recommendations, including:
- Screening during pregnancy does not always occur
- The pregnant person may become infected after screening
- Transmission from another household member to the baby may occur
- Babies infected at birth have about a 90% chance of developing chronic hepatitis B
Read the full statement at ATAGI statement on the importance and safety of hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
For more information about hepatitis B disease, transmission, epidemiology and vaccination, visit MVEC: Hepatitis B.