Hepatitis B Vaccinations

As part of GJK’s commitment to the safety of its staff, and ongoing OH&S focus, a number of cleaning staff from the Department of Human Services, Office of Housing have completed their third and final round of Hepatitis B Vaccinations.

GJK provides all their staff that work across the Office of Housing sites an opportunity to receive free vaccinations, serving as a preventative safeguard against some of the risks encountered on site.

GJK began the Hepatitis B vaccination programme when it took on the Department of Housing contract over seven years ago, and as part of ongoing health monitoring, regular reviews are taken to establish which new staff require the vaccinations.

For more information about GJK Facility Services please visit their website.

WSM FM-Works allows you to log and monitor OH & S issues and incidents. Read more.

About Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is the most common liver infection in the world and is caused by the hepatitis B virus. The hepatitis B virus enters the body and travels to the liver via the bloodstream. In the liver, the virus attaches to healthy liver cells and multiplies. This replication of the virus then triggers a response from the body’s immune system. People are often unaware they have been infected with the hepatitis B at this stage.

The liver is the main site of hepatitis B viral multiplication. Hepatitis B infection can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer or liver failure if it is not diagnosed and managed.

Worldwide, there are an estimated 350 - 400 million people with chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B infection, with the majority living in the Asia-Pacific region.

In Australia, it is estimated that 165,000 people are chronically infected with hepatitis B. Between 1991 and 2005, there have been over 90,000 people diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B in Australia.2 Many people living with chronic hepatitis B in Australia have not yet been diagnosed.

The majority of people with chronic hepatitis B in Australia were born overseas, predominantly in the Asia-Pacific region. Refugees and migrants from the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America also have high rates of hepatitis B infection. Other groups at higher risk of hepatitis B infection include Indigenous Australians, people participating in high risk sexual activity and people who inject drugs.3

Hepatitis B infection is considered to be ’acute‘ during the first 6 months after infection. If hepatitis B virus tests (HBsAg+) are positive after 6 months, then a person is considered to have ’chronic‘ (long term) hepatitis B infection which can last a lifetime.

To read more about Hepatitis B vaccines, prevention and treament please click here.