Written Statement: Eliminating hepatitis B and C in Wales

I am providing an annual update about our commitment towards eliminating hepatitis B and C in Wales by 2030. 

The Welsh Government, NHS Wales, and third sector partners are working together to achieve the World Health Organization’s stretching targets. There are successes to celebrate this year but also challenges to overcome. 

Our universal antenatal screening for hepatitis B and targeted action for all those who test positive has helped to maintain the UK status of elimination of mother-to child transmission. Overall testing rates for both hepatitis B and C are at record levels – they increased again in 2024, compared to 2023 – and we have seen significant improvements in testing within the prison estate in Wales.

Our free and confidential home testing service (external link) allows people to order a kit online, take a simple finger-prick blood sample, and receive their results via text. We are continuing to increase the availability of testing kits in the community – about 27,000 community testing kits have been distributed so far via 400 services across Wales.

We have seen an increase in case findings for both chronic hepatitis B and C in 2024 compared to 2023. Treatment remains highly effective, and the most serious outcomes associated with hepatitis B and C, including liver cancers, liver transplants and deaths, remain low.

We have consistently maintained more than 90% coverage of children receiving the hexavalent vaccine (six-in-one, which includes protection against hepatitis B) by their first birthday, which exceeds the World Health Organization target.   

But there is more we need to do over the coming years:

• We want to achieve consistently high hepatitis B vaccination rates of more than 95% - the all-Wales level is currently 94.1%.
• We need to our improve data on hepatitis B vaccine uptake for at-risk populations to ensure we are reaching those who need it.
• We need to continue to improve needle and syringe provision to ensure anyone who is injecting can do so as safely as possible and limit the risk of becoming infected.
• Testing rates are at record highs but they can improve further if we are to achieve our elimination goals.
• We can expand outreach services across Wales and provide rapid access to treatment.
• Addressing the stigma associated with hepatitis B and C is essential in our efforts to eliminate them as a public health problem.

We continue to provide funding for dedicated national co-ordination posts, core funding for health boards and Public Health Wales to support health protection and dedicated funding for substance misuse.

All health boards and substance misuse Area Planning Boards have joint local elimination plans and local multi-agency steering groups in place to oversee progress. 

And I am pleased Wales is now a Fast Track Nation, meaning key delivery partners in each of the seven health board areas have signed a declaration committing them to work collaboratively to deliver the World Health Organization’s targets for HIV, hepatitis B and C and TB and to tackle stigma.

This statement is being issued during recess to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.