Velázquez and Johnson Reintroduce Resolution Recognizing World Hepatitis Day as Administration Rolls Back Vaccine Protections

WASHINGTON - Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), co-chairs of the Congressional Hepatitis Caucus, reintroduced a resolution recognizing July 28, 2026 as World Hepatitis Day, raising awareness about the issues surrounding hepatitis B and C and reaffirming Congress's commitment to ending these preventable diseases.

Each year, thousands of Americans die of viral hepatitis, and another 75,000 are infected. Worldwide, an estimated 520 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B and C, and an estimated 1.3 million die annually. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and the liver disease they cause, remain urgent global health threats, disproportionately impacting communities of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people who inject drugs.

"Far too many Americans have died because of hepatitis, a viral disease that disproportionately affects communities of color and the LGBTQ community," said Congresswoman Velázquez. "I'm proud to reintroduce this resolution recognizing hepatitis as a public health priority. With increased public education, improved testing, and access to treatment, we can turn the tide on this epidemic. But this Administration has chosen to walk away from decades of proven vaccine policy, putting newborns at risk of a preventable disease. We cannot let that stand."

"How we respond to preventable diseases says a great deal about our values," said Rep. Johnson. "Every family deserves access to accurate information, lifesaving treatments, and quality healthcare. As we recognize World Hepatitis Day, we must continue investing in the public health tools that save lives and protect future generations."

The reintroduction comes amid an unprecedented rollback of federal hepatitis prevention policy. After firing all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s reconstituted committee voted in December to end the longstanding recommendation that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine dose at birth, a policy in place since 1991 that drove a dramatic reduction in pediatric hepatitis B infections. The CDC adopted the change over the objections of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and public health experts nationwide.

The Administration has also suspended U.S. support for global health institutions including USAID, the World Health Organization, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, jeopardizing hepatitis prevention programs abroad.

The resolution is endorsed by: African Health Coalition Incorporation, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), Coalition Against Hepatitis for People of African Origin (CHIPO), Community HealthCare Network, Community Liver Alliance, Congolese United Foundation, ekiM For Change, Empire Liver Foundation, End Hep C SF, Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center, Health Betterment Initiative, Hep Free Hawaiʻi, Hep B United, Hepatitis B Foundation, Hepatitis C Allies of Philadelphia (HepCAP), HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, Housing Works - Positive Health Project, Illinois Public Health Association, Indiana Recovery Alliance, Liver Coalition of San Diego, Montefiore Starfish Program, NASTAD, National Harm Reduction Coalition, National Survivors Union, National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR), North East Medical Services, SF HepB Free, The AIDS Institute, The Hepatitis C Mentor and Support Group, Inc. (HCMSG), Thomas Boyer Liver Research Institute, and VOCAL-NY.

"Amid federal public health funding declines and falling rates of the lifesaving hepatitis B vaccine, it is critical that we reaffirm our commitment to eliminating viral hepatitis," said Chari Cohen, DrPH, MPH, President of the Hepatitis B Foundation. "We cannot allow the millions of people living with hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the U.S. and around the world to be left behind. Viral hepatitis elimination is possible, but requires sustained federal investment and strong congressional support to ensure that essential prevention, testing, care, and treatment services are accessible to all who need them."

"We have taken a step back in our efforts to eliminate hepatitis over the past year and yet we have the tools to save lives. We must re-commit to the science-back strategies that we know prevents hepatitis B and C while increasing access to treatment," said Heather Lusk, Co-Director of Hep Free Hawaiʻi and Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center.

"The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) is committed to recognizing World Hepatitis Day and the urgent need to expand testing, vaccination, accessible treatments, and global elimination of this deadly disease by 2030. Viral hepatitis claims more than 1.3 million lives annually and disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations across the globe and here in the United States. IPHA strongly supports World Hepatitis Day and our public health champions worldwide who work to increase vaccination, screening, and treatment for our impacted communities day in and day out!" said Jeffery Erdman, Deputy Executive Director of the Illinois Public Health Association.

A PDF of the resolution can be found here.