Hepatitis B (Hep B) Advice, Guidance and Flowchart

The clinical benefits of hepatitis B immunisation are clear, but there is less clarity in the understanding of the regulations covering hepatitis B immunisation.

This is manifested by some practices being pressurised by their Primary Care Organisations (PCOs) into giving hepatitis B immunisation for travel solely as a private service, and by some practices charging for occupational hepatitis B.

GPs are often requested to give hepatitis B immunisation covering three broad areas:

• For travel
• For occupational health
• For medical reasons (e.g. IV drug use for renal disease).

Please see the attached flowchart for further details.