Hep B United’s Statement on ACIP’s Hepatitis B Vaccine Votes  Sign-on by 5 PM December 12th We reaffirm that the hepatitis B vaccine, including the birth dose, is safe and saves lives. Over 40 years of extensive global research show a strong safety record and clear benefits to vaccinating against hepatitis B at birth. Thanks to the long-standing recommendation (1991-2025) for universal hepatitis B birth dose and completion of the full, three-dose hepatitis B vaccine series, hepatitis B transmission among U.S. children has been nearly eliminated, even in areas where the virus was once endemic – an undeniable achievement and a true public health success story that should be celebrated. We continue to stand firmly with the established science, longstanding clinical guidelines by numerous medical societies domestically and globally, and the real-world successes that have significantly reduced hepatitis B infections and deaths. Our organizations remain committed to ensuring access to the birth dose and the full 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine series, promoting evidence-based best practices, and supporting the health of every community we serve. Routine universal hepatitis B birth dose and completion of the full 3-dose vaccination remain essential to sustaining the progress we have made in preventing a virus that can cause lifelong infection and liver cancer. As hepatitis B continues to pose a serious health threat, maintaining strong birth-dose coverage is critical to protecting infants from the earliest moments of life and preventing future disease. Our organizations will continue working together to uphold this proven intervention and to strengthen the health and safety of each community we serve. Signed Organizations: Hep B United Hepatitis B Foundation Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Centers (AAPCHO) National Task Force on

Senators Introduce Federal Legislation to Eliminate Hepatitis C On June 4, 2025, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a national Hep C elimination program. The legislation would allow states and local entities to apply for funding to expand access to Hep C testing and treatment and strengthen hepatitis-related infrastructure. It would support expanding access to point-of-care Hep B and C diagnostics and innovative care delivery models for populations in need of treatment. Based in part on the Louisiana Hepatitis C Elimination Plan, the legislation would use a subscription-based procurement model to make lower cost Hep C treatment widely available by authorizing the HHS Secretary to enter into agreements with one or more drug companies to provide treatments for distribution at pharmacies, state and local correctional systems, and the Indian Health Service. Last June, the Congressional Budget Office released a report showing long-term federal cost savings related to policies designed to increase Hep C treatment rates. Senator Cassidy’s press release on the bill is here, and the bill text is here. Last Updated on June 18, 2025 by HepFree NYC Tags: Advocacy Alerts

AASLD developed a Dear Colleague letter in support of DVH’s laboratory and getting it reinstated. The letter is open for signatories through May 16.

In collaboration with StoryCenter, Hep B Foundation will be working on the #justB Storytelling Project to make the real voices of every-day people living with/affected by Hep B heard.