Prevention of hepatitis B and C in the EU/EEA

The decline in the reported number of new transmissions of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections across European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries has continued, but the burden remains high, with an estimated 5.4 million people with chronic HBV and HCV infection in the region. - There are gaps in the data available on hepatitis prevention activities across the EU/EEA, highlighting the need for countries to prioritise the collection of more complete monitoring data to properly assess progress towards the elimination targets. - Available data show that progress across the EU/EEA region is variable, with many countries currently not meeting 2025 interim WHO European Action Plan hepatitis prevention targets, especially targets focussing on programmes for people who inject drugs (PWIDs). Continued investment and strengthening of hepatitis prevention programmes is needed.