National Hepatitis Plan: More effort is needed to prevent and reduce hepatitis B and C

The Netherlands has taken important steps in addressing hepatitis B and C infections over the past ten years. However, more effort is needed to significantly reduce the number of new and untreated hepatitis B and C infections. This is stated in the new RIVM National Hepatitis Plan 2026–2030.

The National Hepatitis Plan explains how the Netherlands can reduce the number of new and untreated hepatitis B and C infections by 2030. This aligns with the World Health Organisation's goals of completely eliminating hepatitis B and C. This will require additional actions from healthcare organisations. For example from the Municipal Health Services (GGDs), general practitioners, hospitals, addiction care institutions, prisons and health care agencies for asylum seekers and status holders.

The number of new patients with hepatitis B has decreased sharply since the arrival of the hepatitis B vaccine in the 1980s. In the Netherlands, newborn babies, high-risk groups and healthcare personnel are vaccinated against hepatitis B. Pregnant women are also tested for hepatitis B. 

Hepatitis B and C can be treated better nowadays. People with hepatitis C can usually recover completely. For hepatitis B, good treatment is available to keep the virus under control. However, some of the people with chronic hepatitis do not know they have been infected. They do not develop symptoms until years later. Healthcare and access to healthcare can be improved, especially for people with a migrant background, undocumented people and other vulnerable groups.

The Netherlands has not met all the targets set out in the 2016 hepatitis plan. The new National Hepatitis Plan contains the required additional steps. For example: