Update to Queensland state-funded Hepatitis B vaccination program

The Queensland state-funded hepatitis B (hepB) vaccination program eligibility has been updated to clarify criteria and ensure equitable access to hepB vaccination for people most at risk. While people living with HIV (PLWHIV) have been operationally receiving the hepB vaccine through the program, this risk group was not previously specified in program information.

To align with the Australian Immunisation Handbook recommendations and practices in other jurisdictions, the program now formally includes PLWHIV as an eligible cohort under the Queensland hepB vaccination program. Additionally, the Handbook recommends the use of the Engerix-B brand vaccine for PLWHIV. To support these recommendations, the Queensland Immunisation Program has procured supply of Engerix-B vaccine specifically for PLWHIV.

From today (3 June 2026) Queensland Health Immunisation Service Providers can now order this stock using the updated vaccine order forms which are available at Order, store and manage immunisation medicines | Queensland Health. The Hepatitis B | Health | Queensland Government webpage has also been updated to reflect this clarification.