Europe warned it will miss hepatitis elimination goal by 2030
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says vaccination gaps and weak prevention measures are likely to keep the region from its hepatitis target.
Europe is on course to miss its 2030 target for eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said on Tuesday. The agency pointed to uneven child vaccination coverage and shortcomings in prevention efforts across the region.
The warning comes after years of progress against the disease, which can cause serious liver illness and is spread through blood and other body fluids. The ECDC said the remaining gaps are large enough to derail the elimination plan unless countries step up action.
The agency’s assessment adds to broader public health concerns in Europe, where officials have been trying to reduce infections through immunisation, testing and treatment. Hepatitis elimination has been a long-running goal for health authorities and international partners.
The ECDC’s update was published in Europe on 28 July 2026, alongside other health coverage examining how medical evidence, prevention and public messaging shape outcomes.
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