Hepatitis B Virus Elimination Strategies

Abstract

Abstract Purpose of Review The World Health Assembly called to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat in 2016 and proposed elimination goals by 2030. This review examined current national and global progress with hepatitis B virus elimination, and the hurdles and solutions being undertaken to achieve elimination goals. Recent Findings Few countries are on target to achieve the elimination targets of a 95% reduction in new infections and a 65% reduction in mortality by 2030. Gaps towards elimination remain, such as low infant vaccine coverage in low-income countries and continued under-diagnosis and low rates of treatment globally. Summary HBV elimination is feasible but will require continued focus on infant and childhood vaccine coverage, improving blood and injection safety, increasing harm reduction measures among persons who use drugs, and providing broader access to low-cost diagnostics and antiviral treatment.