MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Health and Social Care: 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 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.
