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VHPB endorses the World Hepatitis Day (28 July 2013).
World Hepatitis Day established in 2010 by the World health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) is marked to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes. Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide. Approximately 240 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 150 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis C, and most of them do not know they are infected. In the WHO European Region 13 million people are chronically infected with HBV, and 15 million are chronically infected with HCV, compared with 1.6 million people living with HIV.
The World hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to create awareness and focus on specific actions such as: strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases; increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration into national immunization programmes; improve access to prevention and treatment and coordinating a global response to hepatitis.
More information and promotional material in different languages is accessible on http://www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/en/who-what-where-when-and-how.html
WHO launched their new global policy report on the prevention and control of viral hepatitis.
WHO global policy report on the prevention and control of viral hepatitis in WHO Member States, is a report based on findings of a survey performed by WHO in collaboration with the World hepatitis alliance, mid-2012 and responded by 126 countries. The survey asked Member States to provide information relating to the four axes of the WHO strategy. In particular, Member States were asked whether key prevention and control activities are being conducted..
The Global policy report is accessible on the WHO website http://who.int/csr/disease/hepatitis/global_report/en/index.html.
The data is also presented on an interactive website of the World Hepatitis Alliance http://global-report.worldhepatitisalliance.org/en/
"Burden and prevention of viral hepatitis in the Arctic region, Copenhagen, Denmark, 22 23 March 2012." published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health (Int J Circumpolar Health 2013, 72: 21163).
A summary of the VHPB meeting entitled “Burden and prevention of viral hepatitis in the Arctic region" held in Copenhagen, Denmark, March 2012 is recently published in the International journal of Circumpolar health.
The full text of this article is available on the open access platform of the International Journal of Circumpolar health http://www.circumpolarhealthjournal.net/index.php/ijch/article/view/21163 or as a pdf in the meeting and publications/other VHPB documents section of our website.
BMJ editorial – “Should Europe have a universal hepatitis B vaccination programme?” (BMJ 2013;347:f4057).
In an Editorial of the June edition of the British Medical Journal, The VHPB argues that universal hepatitis B immunization is essential to stop people becoming carriers. On the contrary, Tuija Leino and colleagues think that a targeted approach is a better use of resources in countries with low endemicity.
The full text of this discussion is available on the BMJ website via this toll free linkhttp://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.f4057?ijkey=FgjKQIfO3HaS3dx&keytype=ref or as a pdf in the meeting and publications/other VHPB documents section of our website.
This issue of the Viral Hepatitis focuses on the burden and prevention of viral hepatitis in the Arctic Region, discussed at a meeting held in March 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark. An overview is given of the organization and funding of the health systems in the different countries of the Region, the surveillance systems and the epidemiology of viral hepatitis, as well as the prevention and control strategies. In addition further collaboration between countries in the Arctic were identified.
Hepatitis B and C Public Policy Association – Newsletter June 2013.
Hepatitis B and C Public Policy Association released their second newsletter containing 3 interesting articles:
- Hepatitis C – Prevention and Control in UK (by Helen Harris and David Mutimer)
- Fighting Against Hepatitis B and C: The French Experience (by Daniel Dhumeaux)
- The Role of Patients in Drafting National Hepatitis Strategies (by Tatjana Reic) .This newsletter is accessible on http://www.hepbcppa.org/newsletter-june-2013
Objectives of the meeting were:
- Provide an overview of surveillance systems for infectious diseases;
- Review the epidemiological situation on viral hepatitis;
- Give an overview of the current prevention and control measures on viral hepatitis;
- Discuss the progress achieved in hepatitis prevention;
- Review the possible implementation of new prevention strategies, control measures and monitoring systems;
- Give an overview of the current prevention and control measures on viral hepatitis;
- Discuss the successes, issues and barriers to overcome, and the way forward.
< P>The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
March 2013, Jeruzalem, Israel.
Meeting "How to reach healthcare workers" is online.
Objectives of the meeting were:
- To review recent vaccination coverage data of hepatitis B and other vaccine preventable diseases in healthcare workers;
- To review vaccination policies and recommendations in healthcare workers on national and global level;
- To evaluate how policies are implemented and organized;
- To examine the acceptance of vaccination by healthcare workers;
- To review and learn from examples of best practices for increasing vaccination rates among health care workers;The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
November 2012, Barcelona, Spain.
Call to Action on hepatitis in Mediterranean and Balkan countries.
A call to action was launched at the Summit Conference on Hepatitis B and C in Mediterranean and Balkan Countries that took place on 5-7 December 2012 in Cyprus. The hepatitis B and C Policy Association brought together a range of different stakeholders to urge the formulation and implementation of effective policies and targeted actions by national governments, healthcare providers and civil society in the fight against hepatitis B and C. The VHPB actively participated in the preparation and at the conference itself. The Steering Group of the Conference, the VHPB and the other partner associations call on the countries of these regions to create national viral hepatitis strategies.
This call for action is accessible on http://www.hepsummit2012.org/calltoaction
European Liver Patient Association (ELPA) launched the Euro Hepatitis Index 2012.
Beginning of November 2012, the European Liver Patient Association (ELPA) had launched the Euro Hepatitis Care Index 2012. This database is a summary of a survey performed in 27 EU countries (+ Norway, Switzerland and Croatia), measuring and ranking the performance of healthcare provision in in the field of prevention, case finding, access to treatment, national strategies, patient involvement and outcomes for hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Although not all data are scientifically evidenced based and fully validated, ELPA hopes that this Index is a tool to empower patients and physicians and other stakeholders to elaborate and promote comprehensive national hepatitis plans, to create discussions and increase public awareness.
The Euro Hepatitis Index is accessible on http://www.hep-index.eu/
VHPB endorses the World Hepatitis Day (28 July).
World Hepatitis Day established in 2010 by the World health Organisation (WHO) is marked to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes. Viral hepatitis constitute a major global health risk with around 240 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 150 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis C, most are unaware of their infections. In the WHO European Region 14 million people are chronically infected with HBV, and nine million are chronically infected with HCV, compared with 1.5 million infected by HIV.
The World hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to create awareness and focus on specific actions such as: strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases; increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration into national immunization programmes; and coordinating a global response to hepatitis.
More information and promotional material in different languages is accessible on www.worldhepatitisday.info
WHO Framework for Global Action for the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis Infection
WHO released a Framework for Global Action for the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis Infection, that describes a comprehensive approach to prevent, treat and save lives of people infected with hepatitis through targeted regional and country-specific strategies. This document is accessible at. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/hepatitis/Framework/en/index.html
This issue of Viral Hepatitis provides an overview of the recent knowledge that was presented at the Milan meeting, on long-term efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine, effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination programmes, and immune memory induced by hepatitis B vaccine. Findings from four continents were presented at the meeting, with data now extending to follow-up for nearly 30 years after full primary vaccination. It also contains vaccine efficacy including factors influencing long-term protection; breakthrough infections; the immunological effect of natural boosting; the effectiveness of universal hepatitis B vaccination in different countries, and issues relating to national, regional and global policies on booster vaccination.
Meeting "Burden and Prevention of Viral Hepatitis in Arctic Region" is online.
Objectives of the meeting were:
- provide an overview of surveillance systems for infectious diseases;
- Review the epidemiological situation on viral hepatitis and explain the higher prevalence of viral hepatitis;
- Give an overview of the current prevention and control measures on viral hepatitis;
- Discuss the progress achieved in hepatitis prevention
- Review the possible implementation of new prevention strategies, control measures and monitoring systems;
- Discuss the successes, issues and barriers to overcome, and the way forward;
- The aim of the meeting is to focus on the indigenous ethnic population of this region;The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
March 2012, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Objectives of the meeting were:
- To review long-term efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine and field effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination programmes;
- To review recent data on immune memory induced by hepatitis B vaccine and the anamnestic response after a booster dose;
- To examine the occurrence and impact of breakthrough infections;
- To review data on potential impact of HBV mutants.
- To evaluate the role of adjuvants in long-term protection;
- To evaluate current hepatitis B booster vaccination recommendations;
- To discuss current used definitions, standards and terminology.The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
November 2011, Milan, Italy.
This issue of Viral Hepatitis fully focuses on Bulgaria and reviewed the burden and prevention of viral hepatitis in the country. It examined the organization and funding of the health system, the surveillance systems for infectious diseases, and the epidemiology of viral hepatitis, especially the impact of the universal neonatal hepatitis B immunization programme introduced almost 20 years ago. It also looked at the implementation of new prevention strategies, such as the health mediator concept, as well as control measures and monitoring systems. Participants discussed the successes, the way forward and possible obstacles.
VHPB endorses the first official World Hepatitis Day (28 July) of the World Health Organization (WHO).
In May 2010 the World Health Assembly adopted the viral hepatitis resolution WHA 63.18, calling for an official WHO sponsored World Hepatitis Day. From now on this WHO sponsored World Hepatitis Day will take place Thursday 28th of July, Professor Baruch Blumberg’s birthday. This date is very appropriate to put viral hepatitis in the spot light as Professor Blumberg received in 1972 a chaired Nobel Prize for his research leading to the discovery of the hepatitis B virus and allowing the development of the hepatitis B vaccine.
The World Hepatitis Day provides the opportunity to increase the awareness, understanding and prevention of viral hepatitis and its related diseases in all WHO member states. With more than 20 years’ experience in increasing awareness of viral hepatitis among healthcare workers, policymakers and opinion leaders, the VHPB recognizes the importance and relevance of this intitiative and fully supports the overall objectives of the World Hepatitis Day. We hope that the campaign “Hepatitis affects everyone, everywhere. Know it. Confront it. Protect yourself.” will have a major global impact on the general awareness of Viral Hepatitis.
More information and promotional material in different languages is accessible on www.worldhepatitisday.info
This issue of Viral Hepatitis fully focuses on Portugal and reviews the organization of the healthcare system, the epidemiological situation, surveillance system, research activities and current prevention and control measures of viral hepatitis. The meeting discussions on the progress achieved in hepatitis prevention 10 years after the introduction of universal hepatitis B vaccination and possible implementaton of new prevention strategies, control measures and monitoring. This meeting report also reviews the impact of the viral hepatitis resolution adopted by the World Health Assembly (WHA 63.18) and the progress made in developing a comprehensive strategic plan.
WHO issued module 18: Hepatitis A in the Immunological basis for Immunization series.
This module dedicated to hepatitis A is part of the series The Immunological Basis for Immunization, since 1993 developed by WHO. The main purpose of the modules - which are published as separate disease/vaccine specific modules - is to give a brief and easily-understandable overview of the scientific basis of vaccination. It serves as immunological basis for the WHO recommendations, which are published in the Vaccine Position Papers (Weekly Epidemiological Review). To access it go to:
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789241501422_eng.pdf
Meeting "Burden and Prevention of Viral Hepatitis in Bulgaria" is online.
Objectives of the meeting were:
- provide an overview of surveillance systems for infectious diseases;
- Review the epidemiological situation on viral hepatitis;
- Give an overview of the current prevention and control measures on viral hepatitis;
- Discuss the progress achieved in hepatitis prevention 20 years after the introduction of Universal Hepatitis B vaccination
- Review the possible implementation of new prevention strategies, control measures and monitoring systems;
- Discuss the successes, problems and barriers to overcome, and the way forward;The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
March 2011, Sofia, Bulgaria.
This issue of the Viral Hepatitis is prepared from material presented at the Budapest meeting where international experts from public health and academic sector gave an overview of existing screening programmes and new developments in treatment of hepatitis B and C, they evaluated the applicability to chronic hepatitis of the criteria for screening elaborated 40 years ago by Wilson and Jungner. Reports were presented of health technology assessments of such programmes and the benefits of screening against costs and potential harm that may ensue. Further discussions covered the conditions for screening, the strengths and weaknesses of the approach and its public health and social implications, including impact on individuals. The meeting concluded with a review of lessons learnt, challenges, needs and proposed steps forward.
Meeting "Burden and Prevention of Viral Hepatitis in Portugal" is online.
Objectives of the meeting were:
- provide an overview of surveillance systems for infectious diseases;
- Review the epidemiological situation on viral hepatitis;
- Give an overview of the current prevention and control measures on viral hepatitis;
- Discuss the progress achieved in hepatitis prevention 10 years after the introduction of Universal Hepatitis B vaccination
- Review the possible implementation of new prevention strategies, control measures and monitoring systems;
- Discuss the successes, problems and barriers to overcome, and the way forward;The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
November 2010, Lisbon, Portugal.
ECDC published data on hepatitis B and C surveillance prevention in Europe.
Since mid October two reports on hepatitis B and C are available on the ECDC web site:
‘Surveillance and prevention of hepatitis B and C in Europe’ is an analysis of a survey carried out to map national surveillance surveillance systems and prevention programmes for hepatitis B and C in EU/EEA.
http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications/Publications/Forms/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?ID=567‘Hepatitis B and C in the EU neighborhood: prevalence, burden of disease and screening policies’ is a literature review of screening for HBV and HCV in EU to gain insight into the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and C, the burden of disease and the national screening policies and their effectiveness.
http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications/Publications/Forms/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?ID=560
This issue of Viral Hepatitis fully focuses on Turkey and reviews the organization of the healthcare system, the epidemiological situation, surveillance system, research activities, and current prevention and control measures of viral hepatitis. And the meeting discussions on the progress achieved in hepatitis prevention 10 years after the introduction of universal hepatitis B vaccination. It also includes an update on WHO strategies and recommendations for viral hepatitis prevention and control in WHO European Region and in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.
World Health Assembly adopted the “Viral Hepatitis” resolution (WHA.63.18).
Last May, the member states at the 63rd World Health Assembly in Geneva adopted a resolution urging the World Health Organization to strengthen the global approach to the prevention and control of chronic viral hepatitis. This resolution also calls for a WHO sponsored World Hepatitis Day from next year on, on July 28, in order to provide an opportunity for education and awareness campaigns for a greater understanding of viral hepatitis.
This Viral hepatitis resolution WHA63.18 is available on the WHO website: http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA63/A63_R18-en.pdf
Meeting "Identification and management of persons with chronic hepatitis in Europe" is online.
Objectives of the meeting were:
- To take stock of the current screening of chronic diseases and lessons learnt;
- To apply the screening criteria ( the Wilson and Jungner criteria) on the identification of persons with chronic hepatitis;
- To report on HTA (health technology assessment) of such identification programmes;
- To learn how screening and the management of the identified persons can reduce the morbidity and mortality of chronic viral hepatitis;
- To discuss if the potential benefits of identifying chronic viral hepatitis and preventing the development of the health problem outweigh the cost and potential harm associated with the screening process;
- List the conditions required for the successful implementation;
- Discuss strength and weaknesses of screening as well as other public health and social aspects or consequences;
- Evaluate the impact of a diagnosis on individual well being.The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
March 2010, Budapest, Hungary.
Meeting "Burden and Prevention of Viral Hepatitis in Turkey" is online.
Objectives of the meeting were:
- provide an overview of surveillance systems for infectious diseases;
- Review the epidemiological situation on viral hepatitis;
- Give an overview of the current prevention and control measures on viral hepatitis;
- Discuss the progress achieved in hepatitis prevention 10 years after the introduction of Universal Hepatitis B vaccination
- Review the possible implementation of new prevention strategies, control measures and monitoring systems;
- Discuss the successes, problems and barriers to overcome, and the way forward;The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
November 2009, Istanbul, Turkey.
This issue of the Viral Hepatitis contains topics related to Hepatitis A (HAV) included feedback of the Global HAV meeting held in December 2007 in Miami, related lessons learned for the WHO European region and recent information on HAV epidemiology, outbreaks and prevention. With regards to Hepatitis E (HEV), an overview of HEV virology and the disease is given together with its worldwide epidemiology, including data suggesting zoonotic transmission. The emergence of HEV in non-endemic/endemic countries is assessed. For both, HAV and HEV, future opportunities and initiatives are discussed.
WHO issued a review of the position paper on Hepatitis B vaccines.
The October 2 issue of the WHO periodical "Weekly Epidemiological Record" covered the latest WHO position paper on hepatitis B vaccines. To access it, go to: http://www.who.int/wer/2009/wer8440.pdf
All WHO position papers on vaccines are available in alphabetical order at http://www.who.int/immunization/documents/positionpapers.
This issue of Viral Hepatitis fully focuses on the Netherlands and reviews the organization of the healthcare system, the epidemiological situation, surveillance system, research activities, and current prevention and control measures of viral hepatitis. It also includes the meeting discussions that were particularly interesting as the Dutch Ministry of Health was re-evaluating the possible introduction of universal hepatitis B vaccination into the National Immunization programme at the time of this VHPB meeting.
Endorsement of world hepatitis day 19 May 2009.
The Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board, working to increase awareness of viral hepatitis since 1992, endorses the world hepatitis day 2009.
There is a clear lack of attention towards prevention and control of viral hepatitis. Major gaps exist towards surveillance of acute cases and data on chronic viral hepatitis is almost non-existing. Although on the level of primary prevention of hepatitis B infection significant achievements can be reported, at the end of 2008 175 of 193 WHO member states had introduced universal vaccination, a lot still needs to be done. The benefit of vaccination against hepatitis B is sometimes perceived as limited, leading to rejection of vaccination. Awareness of the real disease menace is crucial and the value of protection against infection needs continuous promotion. Young chronic hepatitis B patients are testimonies of the breaches in the current prevention programmes.
Taken into account the importance and relevance of this initiative the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board endorses the overall objectives of the World Hepatitis Day. We hope that this patient driven initiative will have a major global impact on the general awareness of Viral Hepatitis, and will increase the political commitment to prevent and control viral hepatitis infection and its consequences.
Meeting "Hepatitis A and E: Update on Prevention and epidemiology" is online.
Aims of the meeting were:
Hepatitis A
- Provide a feedback of the Miami meeting : “Has the time come to control Hepatitis A globally” December 2007;
- Discuss the lessons learned for Western-Europe and WHO European region;
- Provide recent information on Hepatitis A epidemiology and prevention;
- Discuss future initiatives and HAV related topics;
Hepatitis E
- Give an overview of the virology of HEV;
- Review the disease and its worldwide epidemiology;
- Explain the zoonotic transmission of HEV;
- Assess HEV emergence in non-endemic/endemic countries;
- Discuss the vaccines against HEV and their future;The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
March 2009, Antwerp, Belgium.
Aims of the meeting were:
- Overview of surveillance systems for infectious diseases;
- Update of the epidemiological situation on viral hepatitis;
- Evaluation of current prevention and control measures on viral hepatitis;
- Discussion on possible implementation of new prevention strategies, control measures and monitoring systems. ;
- Successes, problems and barriers to overcome measures on viral hepatitis;The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
November 2008, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
This Viral Hepatitis issues provides an overview of the activities, role, rationale and impact of several liver patient and advocacy groups in Europe and the US; gives examples of experiences of international and national liver patient and advocacy groups; identifies challenges and thresholds experienced by liver patient and advocacy groups regarding their role and impact on prevention and control of viral hepatitis.
Strong response to a recently published paper by a group of French researchers Y. Mikaeloff and colleagues in Neurology entitled: “Hepatitis B vaccine and the risk of CNS inflammatory demyelisation in childhood." October 2008.
The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) considers that the findings from this study do not provide convincing evidence that HB vaccination, or use of any brand of HB vaccine, is associated with an increased risk of MS or of an episode of acute CNS inflammatory demyelination. More on the WHO/GACVS web site.
The Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits de Santé (AFSSAPS) has issued a press release stating that the main and major result of this study does not reveal any association between vaccination against hepatitis B and the risk of MS. The National Advisory Board of Pharmacovigilance also pointed to shortcomings in the study and considers that the results of the analysis of the sub-group of children having followed the vaccine recommendations are deemed to be fortuitous.The French Ministry of Health and the High Counsel of Public Health (HCSP) share this opinion and recommend continuation of the current vaccination policy and reinforcement of the current low vaccination coverage. Full text of this advice (in French) on the HCSP web site.
Endorsement of world hepatitis day 19 May 2008.
The Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board, working to increase awareness of viral hepatitis since 1992, fully endorses the world hepatitis day 2008.
There is a clear lack of attention towards prevention and control of viral hepatitis. Major gaps exist towards surveillance of acute cases and data on chronic viral hepatitis is almost non-existing. Although on the level of primary prevention of hepatitis B infection significant achievements can be reported, in 2006 154 of 193 WHO member states had introduced universal vaccination, a lot still needs to be done. The benefit of vaccination against hepatitis B is sometimes perceived as limited, leading to rejection of vaccination. Awareness of the real disease menace is crucial and the value of protection against infection needs continuous promotion. Young chronic hepatitis B patients are testimonies of the breaches in the current prevention programmes.
We hope that this patient driven initiative will have a major global impact on the general awareness of Viral Hepatitis and will increase the political commitment to prevent and control viral hepatitis infection and its consequences.
This issue reviews the organization of healthcare system, the epidemiological situation, surveillance system, research activities, and current prevention and control measures of viral hepatitis in Greece.
Aims of the meeting were:
- Provide an overview of the activities, role, rationale and impact of patient and advocacy groups in Europe and the US in terms of prevention and control of viral Hepatitis;
- Give examples of experiences of international and national patient and advocacy groups in Europe and the US;
- Identify challenges and thresholds experienced by liver patient groups regarding their role and impact on prevention and control of viral hepatitis;
- Discuss the role and impact of various partner agencies and organisations;
- Discuss lessons learnt and opportunities.The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB - ELPA meeting
March 2008, Lucca, Italy.
Viral Hepatitis, Volume 16, Number 1, prepared from material presented at the VHPB - EUSUHM meeting on 'Prevention and control of viral hepatitis through adolescent health programmes in Europe' is online. 631Kb (.pdf) Higher resolution version for printing 3Mb (.pdf)
This issue reviews the importance of reaching adolescents, provides an overview of currently existing youth health systems and reviews the experiences with childhood and adolescent immunization programmes of the industrialized countries represented.
Aims of the meeting were:
- Overview of surveillance systems for infectious diseases;
- Update of the epidemiological situation on viral hepatitis;
- Evaluation of current prevention and control measures on viral hepatitis;
- Successes, problems and barriers to overcome measures on viral hepatitis;The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
November/2007, Athens, Greece.
Russian translations of Viral Hepatitis Issues are gathered on new page ‘Russian Material’.
An additional page, ‘Russian material’ has been created under ‘Meetings and publications’. The Russian translations of Viral Hepatitis Issues are now gathered on this new page and can be downloaded as pdf.
This issue reviews the organization of healthcare system, the epidemiological situation, surveillance system, research activities, and current prevention and control measures of viral hepatitis in Spain.
Aims of the meeting were:
- Provide an overview of the importance of reaching adolescents, currently existing youth health systems, and countries with childhood and adolescent immunization programmes in Europe;
- Identify obstacles and limitations to the setting up implementing and evaluating of vaccination programmes for children and adolescents;
- Consider the role of various partners;
- Highlight issues;
- Discuss lessons learnt and opportunities.The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB - EUSUHM meeting
March/2007, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Issues relating to current epidemiology of perinatal HBV transmission, scientific evidence of prevention and control of HBV transmission through vaccination, and country experience and examples of good practices on prevention and control of perinatal HBV transmission are reviewed.
Objectives of the meeting were:
- Update of the epidemiological situation on viral hepatitis in Spain;
- Overview of surveillance systems for infectious diseases in Spain;
- Overview of the research activities on viral hepatitis in Spain;
- Evaluation of current prevention and control measures on viral hepatitis in Spain;
- Lessons learnt from the experience in Spain: successes, problems and barriers to overcome, and the way forward.The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
Nov/2006, Madrid, Spain
This issue provides updated information on the epidemiological situation of viral hepatitis (A, B, C) in the UK and discusses various viral hepatitis control measures, prevention strategies and evaluation methods implemented or considered in the UK.
Topics covered during this meeting:
- Epidemiology of perinatal HBV transmission globally and in the WHO European Region;
- Overview of the scientific evidence on prevention and control of perinatal HBV transmission through vaccination;
- Overview of countries with hepatitis B birth dose administration and maternal screening;
- Examples and experiences of countries regarding prevention and control of perinatal HBV transmission;
- Challenges and thresholds experienced while improving perinatal HBV transmission;
- Lessons learnt and opportunities.The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and all the presentations (English and Russian versions) of this meeting are available.
CDC - UNICEF - VHPB - WHO meeting
Mar/2006, Istanbul, Turkey
Meeting "Can the United Kingdom control viral hepatitis?" is online.
Objectives of the meeting:
- How England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland fit together – politics, healthcare, decision making, research, funding;
- Update of the epidemiological situation on viral hepatitis (A, B, C) in the UK;
- Viral hepatitis: virology, clinical aspects, control, public health aspects, economic aspects;
- Hepatitis B vaccination in the UK: selective or selective plus universal?
- Hepatitis C: testing, management, modelling, and national strategy.
- Lessons learnt from the UK experience.The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and all the presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
Nov/2005, Edinburgh, UK
Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other blood-borne infections in healthcare workers. Viral Hepatitis, volume 14, number 1 620 Kb (.pfd)
This issue of Viral Hepatitis covers following topics:
- global epidemiology of blood-borne infections in healthcare workers
- transmission of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus as an occupational risk
- primary and secondary prevention measures against HBV and HCV infections in healthcare workers
- recommendations for HBV-, HCV-, or HIV-infected healthcare workers or (para)medical students.
Electronic version of the meeting report "Strengthening
immunisation systems and introduction of hepatitis B vaccine in Central and
Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States" is available. (55 pages)
(1650 Kb, pdf)
Russian version of meeting report also available (1760
Kb, pdf)
Following topics are covered in this report:
- current situation and issues in the participating countries in terms of hepatitis B epidemiology and hepatitis B vaccination programmes
- safety issues of hepatitis B vaccines and vaccination programmes at country level
- financial sustainability of hepatitis B vaccinationJune 2005
VHPB web site part of the WHO Vaccine Safety Network.
A new page having links to organisations with websites that meet the credibility and content criteria of the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has been created. Vaccine Safety Network
Topics covered during the meeting:
- global epidemiology of blood-borne infections in healthcare workers
- transmission of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus as an occupational risk
- primary and secondary prevention measures against HBV and HCV infections in healthcare workers
- recommendations for HBV-, HCV-, or HIV-infected healthcare workers or (para)medical students.The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most of the presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
Mar/2005, Rome, Italy
This issue of Viral Hepatitis provides:
- an update of the epidemiological situation of viral hepatitis in France
- an overview of the surveillance systems for infectious diseases and adverse events following vaccination
- an evaluation of the current French prevention and control measures.
The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and all of the presentations of this meeting are available.
VHPB meeting
Nov/2004, Veyrier-Du-Lac, France
This issue of Viral Hepatitis provides an overview of the newest knowledge on long-term efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine, effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination programmes, and immune memory induced by hepatitis B vaccine. It also contains an update of the current hepatitis B booster recommendations and the viewpoints on the potential impact of HBV mutants on hepatitis B vaccination programmes.
Official WHO statement on hepatitis B vaccine and the risk of multiple sclerosis
With respect to the recent publication by Hern¨¤n et al. entitled ¡°Recombinant Hepatitis B Vaccine and the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis¡±, published in the September 14, 2004 issue of in Neurology, the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board refers to the statement on this issue by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The focus in this issue of Viral Hepatitis is completely on Germany and the Nordic Countries. It provides an update of the epidemiological situation of viral hepatitis, gives an overview of the surveillance systems for infectious diseases and adverse events following vaccination, and offers an evaluation of current prevention and control measures used in these countries.
The planned achievements of the meeting were: (1) to get an update on the current situation and issues in the participating countries in terms of hepatitis B epidemiology and hepatitis B vaccination programmes, (2) to obtain a better understanding of the safety issues of hepatitis B vaccines and vaccination programmes at country level and, (3) to have a better knowledge of financial sustainability of hepatitis B vaccines at country level. The meeting programme, background documents, and most of the presentations (English and Russian versions) of this meeting are available. Please note that only the English version of the presentations can be retrieved via by the VHPB document search tool.
CDC - CVP/PATH - GAVI - UNICEF - VHPB - WHO meeting
May/2004- Kyiv, Ukraine
The meeting programme, the pre-meeting document and most of the presentations of this meeting are available. The objectives of this meeting were to: (1) Review the long-term efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine and effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination programmes. (2) Review data on immune memory induced by hepatitis B vaccine. (3) Update the current hepatitis B booster vaccination recommendations. (4) Update viewpoints on the potential impact of HBV mutants on hepatitis B vaccination programmes.
VHPB meeting
Mar/2004 - Sevilla, Spain
Hepatitis B vaccination safety issues Viral Hepatitis Volume 12, number 1 533 Kb (.pdf)
In this issue of Viral Hepatitis we review the safety profile of the hepatitis B vaccine; the impact of safety issues on national and international immunisation programmes; and various strategies to help develop a policy that takes anti-vaccination movements and vaccine 'scares' into consideration.
