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.

Better treatments for hepatitis B and C

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.

More action needed to achieve goals

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:

• Better and more understandable information on vaccination programmes. This is important to maintain or increase the vaccination rate in all groups.
• Better testing options for people from countries where hepatitis is more common. Preferably through existing healthcare (such as general practitioners and the Municipal Public Health Services, or with a neighbourhood-oriented approach.
• A central system must track how many people are treated after diagnosis and the results of that treatment. This insight can help identify and address healthcare vulnerabilities more quickly.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver

Hepatitis B and C can become chronic. This means that the virus remains in the body and can cause severe liver disease and liver cancer. In the Netherlands, an estimated 450 to 500 people die each year from hepatitis B or C. About 59,000 people have chronic hepatitis B infection. The estimated number of people with chronic hepatitis C infection is between 6,000 and 25,000. Many of these people do not develop symptoms until years later and are therefore unaware of their infection. 
Certain people are more likely to get hepatitis C. Also, some groups have an increased chance of already having the virus, without being aware of it. This applies, for example, to people from countries where hepatitis is more common, men who have sex with men, people who use drugs and people in prisons.

What does RIVM do?

RIVM collects and analyses national data on hepatitis and develops guidelines and practical tools for GGDs and healthcare staff. RIVM also advises the government and parties in the field on the steps needed to further reduce hepatitis B and C. On behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, RIVM has drawn up the new National Hepatitis Plan 2026–2030 in collaboration with many parties in the field.