Progress Toward Hepatitis B Control — World Health Organization European Region, 2016–2019

Abstract

Summary What is already known about this topic? In 2019, 14 million persons in the World Health Organization European Region (EUR) were chronically infected with hepatitis B virus. What is added by this report? During 2016-2019, EUR made substantial progress towards hepatitis B control. Of 53 countries in EUR, 35, 19, and 17 countries met coverage targets for 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine, the birth dose, and for hepatitis B screening of pregnant women, respectively. Two countries (Italy and the Netherlands) have achieved hepatitis B control. What are the implications for public health practice? Improving hepatitis B vaccination coverage, screening of pregnant women, and conducting hepatitis B seroprevalence assessments can help EUR to accelerate progress and document achievement of hepatitis B control targets.