World Immunization Week: 24-30 April 2025
Immunization against some conditions caused by viruses and bacteria are routine here in Australia. Immunization is the process of giving vaccines to people to protect them against these conditions. Some vaccinations are given to babies, some given to children or teenage, some given to adults and older people. To ensure vaccines are effective and provide maximum protection, it is important to follow recommended vaccination schedules.
For example, there are safe and effective vaccinations available for human papilloma virus (HPV) and the hepatitis B virus.
HPV not only causes genital warts but can cause cancers of the cervix (most common), anus, vagina, penis and throat, The HPV vaccine can protect people from getting these cancers as well as genital warts. It is best given before a person becomes sexually active and is now a single dose: males and females should have their vaccination between 9 and 25 years of age and is free under the National Immunization Program for Medicare Card holders from the ages of 12 to 25. However, the HPV vaccine does not protect against all HPV types. All women aged 25 and 74 years who are sexually active or have been sexually active, should have a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years regardless they have been vaccinated or not. This test looks for HPV.
The hepatitis B virus can cause hepatitis B, and long-term hepatitis B (chronic hepatitis B) can cause liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is the first anti-cancer vaccine. In Australia since the year 2000, the hepatitis B vaccine has been given to babies with the first dose at birth, and 3 more doses afterwards. Adults and adolescents require2 or 3 doses of the vaccine. People born before this time or who were born overseas may not have been vaccinated and are therefore at risk of being infected if blood or sexual fluids of an infected person enters their body. It is important to get a hepatitis B blood test to check for this virus.
If the person is not immune (no protection), they can then be vaccinated. Many people with a Medicare Card if not previously vaccinated can receive free funded vaccines under the Queensland Immunisation Schedule. These include:
• people from countries where hepatitis B is endemic (including Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries)
• sexual contacts and household or other close contacts of people living with hepatitis B
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• people living with chronic liver disease including hepatitis C
• people who inject drugs.
Information is available on who is eligible for free vaccine at in language at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/immunisation/schedule
It is important to remember that whilst the vaccination itself is free there may be a fee for administering the vaccination.
Vaccines are also available for hepatitis A (recommended if travelling overseas). Again, a person should be tested first for immunity from past exposure or vaccination. Hepatitis A vaccine is not free for most people.
Some common infections such as hepatitis C, HIV, and sexually transmissible diseases (STIs) including chlamydia, gonorrhoeic and syphilis do not have a vaccine yet, it is important to get tested and protected.
In addition to getting tested by your doctor, you can also
– get free HIV home test kits from www.rapid.org.au , www.hivtest.au or purchase one at www.atomohivtest.com.
– get free chlamydia and gonorrhoeic test through 13 Health wettest https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/sexual-health/chlamydia-test/about-13health-webtest .
– get free HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoeic test at Rapid clinics: www.rapid.org.au
– get free rapid (fingerpick) hepatitis C test at ECCQ (contact health@eccq.com.au) for overseas born populations) or Queensland Injector’s Health Network.
– ECCQ can also provide free rapid hepatitis B test.
You can register for testing for hepatitis B and C by contacting ECCQ or through this QR code:
As there are no vaccines for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and hepatitis C it is important to take other precautions such as using condoms, taking PrEP (for HIV) and having regular sexual health checks as many STIs can be cured with medications (but people can be reinfected).
For more information about our services and information about HIV, Hepatitis B and hepatitis C and sexually transmissible infections please visit our webpage www.eccq.com.au/bbv or contact us at: 3844 9166 or email health@eccq.com.au.
If you are in Cairns, you can contact the team at Cairns Sexual Health Services by calling (07) 4226 4769 or emailing cairnsshs@health.qld.gov.au.
