This bill supports the designation of "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day" to promote awareness, testing, and vaccination to combat the spread of hepatitis B.
Henry "Hank" Johnson
Representative
GA-4
This bill expresses support for designating April 30, 2025, as "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day" to raise awareness about the importance of hepatitis B vaccination for adults. It recognizes the significant health risks associated with hepatitis B, the low vaccination rates among adults, and the availability of safe and effective vaccines. The bill encourages increased testing, vaccination, and access to care for those affected by hepatitis B, and promotes efforts to reduce new infections and deaths.
Resolution Proposes April 30, 2025 as National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day to Boost Low Vaccination Rates
This resolution throws its support behind designating April 30, 2025, as "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day." The core idea is simple: get more adults thinking about, tested for, and vaccinated against Hepatitis B (Hep B), a serious liver infection that many people don't even know they have.
The Lowdown on Hep B
So, why the push? The resolution lays out some stark facts. Up to 2.4 million people in the U.S. might have chronic Hep B, but a shocking two-thirds aren't aware. It spreads through infected blood and body fluids, and while there's no cure, there is a highly effective vaccine (around 95% effective) that's been standard for kids since the 90s. The problem? Only about 30% of adults have gotten the shot. This is concerning because unmanaged chronic Hep B can lead to serious stuff like liver cancer or cirrhosis – conditions with grim survival rates. The resolution notes that 1 in 4 people with unmanaged chronic Hep B will develop these severe liver issues.
Cases on the Rise
Compounding the low vaccination rates, reported acute (new) Hep B cases have actually been increasing, jumping 11% nationwide between 2014 and 2018. The resolution points to regional spikes significantly linked to the drug use epidemic, citing dramatic increases in states like Maine, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and North Carolina in recent years. It states that 36% of new Hep B cases are among people who inject drugs, highlighting the virus's high infectivity – 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV, according to the CDC data referenced.
The Awareness Day Game Plan
The resolution isn't creating a law, but it's officially recognizing the need for action. By supporting the Awareness Day, it aims to:
- Encourage all adults (18+) to get tested for Hep B at least once.
- Push susceptible adults, especially those aged 19-59 (and older adults with risk factors), to get vaccinated.
- Ensure anyone diagnosed gets connected to proper medical care.
The overall goal is to leverage awareness to increase adult vaccination, keep childhood vaccination rates high, and ultimately cut down on new infections and preventable deaths from Hep B-related liver disease.