Vaccinations

Key points

• If you have been diagnosed with liver disease, there are some vaccinations you need
• Vaccinations will help prevent further damage to your liver by protecting you from other illnesses
• Everyone’s medical history is different. It’s best to discuss with your doctor which vaccinations are appropriate for you

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Hepatitis A vaccine

This vaccine will protect you from the hepatitis A virus. It’s recommended for:

• everyone with chronic liver disease
• people who have had a liver transplant
• people with chronic hepatitis B
• people with chronic hepatitis C
• people who are travelling to countries with risk of hepatitis A exposure
• people working in jobs with increased risk for exposure to hepatitis A
• people whose lifestyle increases their risk of catching hepatitis A

The hepatitis A vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who live in Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia or South Australia at 18 months and 4 years of age.

Others need at least 2 doses, 6 months apart. It’s best to have it as soon as possible after you’re diagnosed with liver disease. You will need to pay for your hepatitis A vaccines although they may be free through sexual health clinics and some other services.

You can find out more about this vaccine here: Hepatitis A vaccine.

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Hepatitis B vaccine

This vaccine will protect you from the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B vaccine is part of the National Immunisation Program for all babies.

It’s recommended for people with chronic liver disease and/or hepatitis C, unless you are already immune to hepatitis B.

This is because people with these liver conditions are at more risk of catching hepatitis B. If they do catch hepatitis B, they are at more risk of developing severe liver disease.

Hepatitis B vaccination is also recommended for people who have a weakened immune system or are at risk of catching hepatitis B because of their job or their lifestyle.

You need 3 doses of this vaccine.

If you are over 20 years of age you will need to pay for your hepatitis B vaccines, although they may be free through sexual health clinics and some other services.

You can find out more about this vaccine here: Hepatitis B vaccine.

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Combined hepatitis A / hepatitis B vaccine

You can be vaccinated against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B at the same time. This vaccine is appropriate for people with chronic liver disease if they are not immune to either hepatitis A or hepatitis B.

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COVID-19

People with liver disease are just as likely to get infected with COVID-19 as anyone else. Some conditions that can make COVID-19 more serious are also common in people with liver disease. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

If you have advanced liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis or if you have had a liver transplant, it is really important to stay up to date with your COVID vaccines.

This vaccine is free for certain groups of people:

• All adults aged 65 and over -depending on you age you may require 1 or 2 vaccines each year
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 to 74 years
• Adults aged 18-64 who are immunocompromised – this may include post-transplant, or undergoing treatment for cancer.

You can find out more about this here: COVID-19 vaccine.

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Influenza

The influenza vaccine (flu shot) will protect you from catching the flu. The flu can be very serious for some people.

This vaccine is recommended for everyone with chronic liver disease and for everyone who has received a transplant. This is because these people are at higher risk of flu or severe illness from flu. It is also recommended for small children, adults over 65 years of age, and many other people in the community.

There’s a new influenza vaccine every year. You need 1 dose – but if you’ve had a liver transplant you’ll need 2 doses.

You should talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot. It can be given at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccination.

This vaccine may be free for certain people at high risk if they get infected with the flu and is provided through many workplaces.

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Pneumococcal

Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria. It can make you seriously ill, for example with meningitis, pneumonia or middle ear infection.

The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for people with chronic liver disease, including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and biliary atresia.

There are different vaccines for pneumococcal. The dose will depend on which type of vaccine you have.

This vaccine is now free for anyone with chronic liver disease including cirrhosis and other advanced liver disease. You can find out more about it here: pneumococcal vaccine.

 

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Shingles

Shingles is a painful rash that happens when the chickenpox virus reactivates if your immune system is weakened or as you get older.

Shingles vaccination can protect you against serious disease.

Shingrix® is a non-live vaccine that is given over 2 doses, 2 to 6 months apart.  It is funded under the National Immunisation Program for:

• All adults aged 65 years and above
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and above
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised aged 18 years and above. This can include people who have had a liver transplant, or those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

You can find out more information about this vaccination here: Herpes Zoster vaccine.

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Travel vaccines

If you have liver disease and you are planning to travel, it’s important to take extra care you don’t get sick. That’s because some illnesses you catch overseas can affect your liver too.

Before you go overseas, check with your doctor you’re up to date with vaccines for:

• Yellow Fever (this is a live vaccine and cannot be given to people with a weakened immune system)
• Measles, mumps and rubella
• Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough

Other vaccines may be recommended depending on where you are travelling to. You can find out more about travel vaccines here: Immunisation for travel.

Things to consider for people with liver disease if there is a pandemic or an outbreak

• Avoid infection: Wear a face mask when in indoor public spaces and when you can’t physically distance from others. Avoid crowded situations where possible.
• Get vaccinated and have boosters: Make sure you are up to date with recommended vaccinations and any boosters.
• Get antiviral treatment if you test positive: for instance, oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 can prevent severe infection. They are recommended for people aged 70 or older, people aged 50 or older with 2 additional risk factors (these are common in people with liver disease) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 30 or older with 1 additional risk factor. Antivirals are also recommended for all adults who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (people who have immune system problems).
• Talk to your doctor about other vaccinations: Have the vaccination for influenza. People with cirrhosis, cancer or receiving immunosuppressive medications are also recommended to have pneumococcal vaccination. Discuss vaccination with your doctor.
• Manage your liver condition: If you have chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, autoimmune hepatitis or liver cancer, it’s very important to keep seeing your doctor and taking your medicines. Make sure you keep having your surveillance tests for liver cancer every 6 months if you are at risk.
• Watch out for new symptoms: If you notice any change in your usual condition, such as fluid build-up, significant weight gain or loss, bleeding or new pain, it’s important to seek medical attention from your doctor, specialist or hospital.
• Manage other conditions: Have regular check-ups with your doctor and make sure you take any medicines they give you. Take care of conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Keep taking immunosuppressive medicines: There have been concerns that being treated with immunosuppressive medicines may increase the risk of severe COVID-19. But if you reduce or stop your medicines, your health is potentially at even greater risk from a flare of liver disease, or an episode of rejection if you’ve had a liver transplant. Always discuss with your doctor before changing any of your medicines.
• Avoid immune boosters: Avoid taking over-the-counter medicines or medicines bought on the internet that someone has suggested might boost the immune system.

Reviewed October 2026.