Uptake and trends in ordering of funded hepatitis B immunisation for priority populations in Victoria, Australia, 2013–2014

Abstract

This analysis demonstrates that access to hepatitis B immunisation among priority populations appears to have increased in Victoria during 2013-14, however it could still be improved. Continued assessment of these data over time will be important to measure the impact of interventions on increasing the reach of the funded vaccine program.

Missed Opportunities: A Retrospective Study of Hepatitis C Testing in Hospital Inpatients

“…Persons born in non-English-speaking countries make up 8.6% of the population, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (henceforth Aboriginal) make up 1.4% of the population [ 21 ]. Estimated prevalence of hepatitis C infection in BSW ranges from 0.74% to 0.34% [ 14 ]. In BSW, hepatitis C testing is performed via venipuncture for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody and, if antibody positive, a second venipuncture for an HCV RNA test [ 22 ].…”

“…Innovative methods to increase hepatitis C testing and linkage to care and treatment are required for individuals to realize the benefits of treatment, reduce onward transmission, and achieve the WHO elimination targets in Australia [11][12][13]. The Barwon South West region (BSW) of Victoria, part of the Western Victoria Primary Health Network (PHN), has the highest rate of hepatitis C treatment uptake in Australia (65.38%) and was the only PHN to achieve the 2022 National Strategy treatment target [14]. The BSW micro-elimination program has supported community-based hepatitis C testing and treatment via regional outreach nursing support, remote general practitioner consultation pathways, testing, and linkage to care at a needle and syringe program (NSP), and, recently, an enhanced notification system within the Local Public Health Unit (LPHU) [5,6,15].…”

Time to broaden the screening strategy for chronic hepatitis B virus infection beyond the emergency department

“… 5 , 6 Unfortunately, it is estimated that 37% of people living with chronic hepatitis B in Australia remain undiagnosed and therefore they do not seek treatment, posing a risk of further HBV transmission in the unvaccinated population. 7 …”

“…8 These figures may be even greater due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2021) reducing HBV testing and diagnosis, as well as travel restrictions reducing migration between Australia and countries with higher hepatitis B prevalence. 7 Therefore, to achieve WHO hepatitis B elimination targets in Australia, current testing practices should be expanded to include opportunistic screening of non-targeted populations. 9 , 10 The WHO, state and national targets are unlikely to be reached under current practice protocols and hence an intensified testing policy is needed.…”