As Ireland begins universal vaccination, the UK’s children remain unprotected against the hepatitis B virus. Almost allEuropean nations vaccinate their children against the virus. Protection of UK children is falling behind the rest of Europe, claims the British Liver Trust.
In the same week, the UK has started vaccinating children against the cervical cancer-causing HPV virus. The British Liver Trust is calling on the Department of Health to act on hepatitis B.
Director of Information and Education Imogen Shillito said: “There are only two vaccines licensed which can protect people from cancer. We are delighted the UK will be protecting children from cervical cancer with the HPV vaccine. But what about liver cancer? Hepatitis B is a key cause of this cancer. Hepatitis B is a serious and preventable killer that we can do something about very cheaply.”
“Irish children will now have a six in one vaccine so they get protection without an extra jab. Almost all European nations follow the World Health Organisation’s advice to vaccinate their children against this deadly virus. Making this vaccine routine will help eradicate Hepatitis B from the UK.”
More than 80% of the world’s population is vaccinated against the disease. Britain’s current policy, vaccinating at risk groups, has proved ineffective. Many high risk groups miss out on vaccination against this incurable illness.
Imogen Shillito said: “GPs are having difficulty identifying patients who need the vaccine and too often, people are already put in danger of infection before they can get the full course of jabs. Giving every child the vaccine alongside vaccines against numerous other diseases will reduce the risk of infection in years to come.”
Professor Humphrey Hodgson, Sheila Sherlock Chair of Medicine at the Royal Free and University College Medical School, said: “Liver Disease is now the fifth biggest killer and the only significant cause of death on the rise. The UK’s poor record of increasing disease marks it out as an exception against the rest of the world.”
Hepatitis B is one of the world’s most common and serious infectious diseases, affecting 3 billion people worldwide. The virus is 100 times more infectious than HIV, and can survive for more than a week in dried blood in blood stains, minute dried blood spots and razor blades. Known as the silent killer, hepatitis B damage builds up over time with few obvious symptoms, and often leads to death from liver cancer or liver failure. With increasing foreign travel and migration, UK infection rates are on the increase.
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For further information please contact:
Imogen Shillito
Phone: 01425 481 320
Out of hours: 07939 960 420
Email: pressoffice@britishlivertrust.org.uk
Email: imogen.shillito@britishlivertrust.org.uk
Web: www.britishlivertrust.org.uk
British Liver Trust, 2 Southampton Road, Ringwood, BH24 1HY
Editor’s Note:
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The British Liver Trust is Britain’s only national liver disease charity for adults. We work to improve the lives of people suffering from liver disease with key roles in education, support and research.
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Data from the British Liver Trust’s survey of practice nurses and their compliance with the Government’s recommendations on vaccinating patients at risk of hepatitis B is available on request.
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The Trust is working urgently to encourage prevention and investment in treatment and care for people with liver disease. Much of the increasing incidence of liver disease stems from lifestyle trends – relating to alcohol, obesity and viral hepatitis. However, liver disease has many other causes including genetics, abnormalities in the immune system and even the medicines we take. The Trust is working to raise awareness about the liver and combat the stigma associated with liver disease.
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The Trust provides a comprehensive website www.britishlivertrust.org.uk, free medical helpline – 0800 652 7330, and distributes a wide range of information leaflets to individuals and healthcare professionals. In addition, the Trust is a contact point for support groups nationwide, as well as co-ordinating funding and providing support for research. |