While new direct-acting antivirals introduced are now effective enough to cure more than 90% of hepatitis C cases, it is not known whether there are suitable policies to promote access to treatment in European countries. The Hep-CORE study collected information on viral hepatitis policy issues from patient groups belonging to the European Liver Patients Association (ELPA) and offers insight into this situation.

The World Hepatitis Summit has launched a Call for Submissions inviting individuals, groups and organisations to outline their original contributions (including scientific, social and community research, programmes, products and policies) and how these have, or may have, the potential to contribute to the response to viral hepatitis in their nation, region, or community. Presenting authors of successful submissions will be invited to present their work at the World Hepatitis Summit 2017.

The Vaccine Safety Net (VSN), a network of websites providing quality reliable information about vaccines, was established in 2003. Its members met at WHO headquarters in Geneva on 28 to 29 November 2016. The meeting was the opportunity to strengthen links between Network members, discuss innovations in managing vaccine safety information and digital communication, discuss collaborations and agree on next steps and follow up mechanisms. A portal dedicated to VSN will soon be launched allowing the public to access relevant information and members to work collaboratively from one single platform.

In february 2017, WHO launched its guidelines on hepatitis B and C testing. They are the first WHO guidelines on testing for chronic HBV and HCV infection and complement published guidance by WHO on the prevention, care and treatment of chronic hepatitis C and hepatitis B infection. These guidelines outline the public health approach to strengthening and expanding current testing practices for HBV and HCV, and are intended for use across age groups and populations.

ELPA presents the findings of the 2016 Hep-CORE Report:
Fifty-two per cent (52%) of surveyed European (25) and Mediterranean Basin (2) countries lack national strategies to address viral hepatitis B or C despite the WHO World Health Assembly resolution calling on all countries to have one. Only three of these countries have access to the new, highly effective medicines (direct-acting antivirals) for hepatitis C without restrictions.
These are just two sobering results from the 2016 Hep-CORE Report on the state of viral hepatitis policy and practice in Europe, released by the European Liver Patients Association (ELPA) today.

A new ECDC review estimates the prevalence of both hepatitis B and C infection at around 1 percent respectively in the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area. In total, it is estimated that more than 10 million Europeans may have chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C. 

• Full report
• Annual Epidemiological Report 2016 – hepatitis B
• Annual Epidemiological Report 2016 – hepatitis C

Testing week is an initiative of HIV in Europe to help more people to become aware of their HIV status.

Now in its fourth year and the second time hepatitis testing has been included,

European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week will take place from 18-25 November 2016.

The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) issues Recommendations on Treatment of Hepatitits C 2016:

The recommendations have been prepared by a panel of experts chosen by the EASL Governing Board and were approved by the EASL Governing Board.
They have been based as far as possible on evidence from existing publications and presentations at international meetings, and, if evidence was unavailable, the experts’ personal experiences and opinion.

The WHO e-learning course on vaccine safety basics intends to establish a shared understanding among professionals whose work is linked to vaccine safety issues.
The course addresses the following issues:

• oringin and nature of advers events follwing immunzation; 
• promoting good communication practices in handling risks and crises situations

The course is destined to nurses, midwives, community health workers, as well as pharmacists medical doctors and programme or technical officers.

More information:

At the Sixty-sixth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC66), the 53 Members States of the WHO European Region have unanimously adopted the first ever "Action plan for the health sector response to Viral Hepatitis in the WHO European Region”, and endorsed the resolution EUR/RC66/R10 to adopt the action plan:

• Action plan for the health sector response to Viral Hepatitis in the WHO European Region
• Resolution EUR/RC66/R10

Many Member States and WHO partners have voiced their support through strong statements of support at RC66.