Statement by Commissioner Stella Kyriakides on World Hepatitis Day

This World Hepatitis Day, my message to all EU citizens is to protect yourselves and your loved ones against this deadly disease, in every way that you can.  

Hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B and hepatitis C, affects millions of people in Europe and globally every year. They can lead to severe liver disease and account for almost 64,000 deaths across Europe annually.  

However, many of these deaths are preventable. A vaccination against the hepatitis-B virus (HBV) has life-saving benefits. Prevention is always better than the cure.   

Last month, Member States endorsed the Commission's recommendation to support their efforts on cancer prevention through vaccination, which is a key pillar of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. 

Recognising the public health challenges of hepatitis, the recommendation includes actions to increase HBV vaccination levels across Europe, so that citizens can be protected against the diseases caused by this virus, reduce burden on our healthcare systems, and better monitor vaccination coverage to identify gaps and address them.   

In order to achieve these aims, we are encouraging Member States to make vaccination against HBV free of charge and easily accessible to all eligible citizens, and integrate immunisation against vaccine-preventable cancers into their national prevention programmes. 

The Commission will support Member States with funding from the EU4Health programme to implement the recommended actions, which have the potential to save thousands of lives.  

Tackling hepatitis is a complex task. It requires action at every step, from prevention to early diagnosis and effective treatment.  

In our strong European Health Union, we want to ensure that everyone has access to essential healthcare services and medicines to address diseases such as hepatitis. We are working with governments, health authorities, international organisations and civil society to tackle the causes of hepatitis, raise awareness of how to prevent it, address disinformation and ensure better detection and treatment to those affected.  

Our goal is a future where hepatitis is no longer a public health threat and where patients receive treatment when and where they need it. By working together within our Health Union, with firm commitment and determination, it is a goal I believe we can reach.