Reps. Johnson, Meng & Sen. Hirono Introduce Resolution to Recognize April 30 as National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate April 30 as National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day.

H. Res. 1072 has the support of 13 other members in the House. Senator Mazie Hirono (HI) introduced the Senate companion resolution – S. Res. 602.

The resolution seeks to raise awareness for the hepatitis B vaccination. Despite the availability of safe, effective and low-cost vaccines, only 30 percent of adults are vaccinated against hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer and can lead to co-infections with hepatitis C, diabetes, and HIV. According to the Hepatitis B Foundation, hep B cases are on the rise. Up to 2.4 million Americans are living with chronic hep B and thousands die of the disease each year.

The resolution comes on the heels of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updating federal guidelines April 1, 2022, that all adults ages 19 to 59 should be vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

"I'm proud to join my colleague Rep. Grace Meng to introduce H. Res. 1072 to mark April 30 as National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day," said Congressman Johnson, who is both a champion for hepatitis patients and a survivor of Hepatitis C. "We know how devastating this silent killer is in our communities, and we won't sit idly by when we have an effective, affordable vaccination. By designating April 30 as National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day, we hope to encourage every citizen to check their vaccination status and get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones from this disease."

"Hepatitis B is a dangerous and deadly disease, one that still too many people die from each year despite there being a vaccine," said Congresswoman Meng. "As Co-Chair of the Hepatitis Caucus, I am proud to reintroduce H. Res. 1072 to mark April 30 as National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day with my fellow Co-Chair, Congressman Hank Johnson. We must do more to make sure people stay healthy and not fall ill to a disease that has had a vaccination for 40 years. We continue to see dramatically disproportionate infection rates among racial and ethnic minority communities, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. This resolution helps spread awareness both about the disease and about the vaccine that is readily available."

"Hepatitis B continues to claim too many lives every year, despite being preventable with a vaccine," said Senator Hirono. "By marking April 30 as National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day, we are raising awareness about this deadly disease and the steps people can take to protect themselves and their loved ones – namely getting vaccinated. I'll continue working to help make sure those diagnosed with Hepatitis B have the care they need to manage the disease, and to expand access to vaccines in order to stop the spread of Hepatitis B."

Read the bill HERE.

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