Europe Risks Missing 2030 Viral Hepatitis Elimination Target

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports that Europe is set to miss the 2030 target for eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat due to uneven implementation of measures.

An estimated five million people in the EU/EEA live with chronic hepatitis B or C, with nearly 60,000 annual deaths linked to liver disease caused by these infections.

While vertical transmission of hepatitis B is below 2%, only nine of 25 countries have reached the WHO target of 95% childhood vaccination coverage, and only seven meet sterile injection equipment distribution goals.