Australia’s hepatitis experts have welcomed a new statement from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) confirming the importance and safety of administering the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
Responding to the new ATAGI advice, Australia’s leading hepatitis researchers and clinicians have made a joint expert statement reaffirming that national guidance remains unchanged. All medically stable newborns who meet the weight threshold should receive their first dose within 24 hours of birth.
The statement follows international attention after a U.S. advisory panel recommended reversing its long-standing advice that infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
Hepatitis Australia CEO Lucy Clynes said parents and healthcare professionals should remain confident in Australia’s long-standing, evidence-based approach.“We welcome ATAGI’s statement reaffirming the importance and safety of administering the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
“Australia’s advice has not changed. The hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination is safe, effective and one of the most important steps we can take to protect newborns from a virus that can cause lifelong liver damage and even fatal liver cancer.
“Our clinical experts are united. The evidence is clear. This vaccine saves lives, and Australia’s program continues to be one of the best in the world.”
Ms Clynes said the expert statement reinforces decades of data demonstrating the vaccine’s safety and impact.
Our statement reflects the strongest possible consensus across our hepatitis clinical and research community
Professor Jane Davies
“Thanks to routine vaccination, hepatitis B cases among young Australians have fallen by a staggering 60 per cent. This is prevention at its best, and it is critical that new parents receive clear, evidence-based advice from their healthcare professionals,” she said.
Chair of Hepatitis Australia’s Research and Clinical Advisory Group, Professor Jane Davies, said Australia’s hepatitis organisations and physicians wanted to convey a critically important message to parents.
“The hepatitis B birth-dose is safe, effective and essential for protecting newborns from infection that can have devastating life-long consequences.
“Our statement reflects the strongest possible consensus across our hepatitis clinical and research community.”
The birth dose remains a cornerstone of protecting infants from chronic hepatitis B
Alexis Apostolellis, ASHM CEO
ASHM CEO, Alexis Apostolellis, reflecting on the strong consensus across Australia’s infectious disease and clinical communities said: “Australia’s hepatitis B vaccination program is one of our outstanding public health achievements. The birth dose remains a cornerstone of protecting infants from chronic hepatitis B and the devastating consequences it can cause later in life.
“Our clinicians see the benefits of this vaccine every day. Parents should feel reassured that Australia’s guidance remains firmly grounded in evidence and expert consensus.”
The expert statement notes that hepatitis B can be passed from mother to child during birth, and without vaccination, around 90 per cent of exposed babies will develop chronic infection.
The statement comes from 23 leading clinicians and researchers, and is endorsed by all hepatitis organisations across Australia, demonstrating the strong consensus underpinning local vaccination policy.
Consumers and health professionals seeking reliable information or support can contact HepLink on 1800 437 222 or visit heplink.au.
Posted 16 December 2025
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