Hepatitis B in the North East: 2025 report
Published 14 May 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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Introduction
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a blood-borne virus that can cause an acute or chronic infection of the liver. Chronic infection can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.
Prevention and treatment efforts have been combined to combat HBV infection and progress towards elimination of HBV as a public health threat by 2030 (set out in the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis). The National Strategic Group on Viral Hepatitis, a cross-agency expert advisory body supported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), provides strategic guidance on viral hepatitis in England and supports progress toward achieving the WHO goal of HBV elimination.
The UKHSA publishes a national report on the scale of HBV infection and related disease in England (the latest report for Hepatitis B in England), presenting disease surveillance and programme data to support monitoring of England’s progress towards WHO HBV elimination targets.
This report complements the UKHSA Hepatitis B in England report and presents further information on HBV disease surveillance, trends in HBV diagnosis and testing and related diseases in the North East UKHSA region with data up to end of 2024. Although this report uses national data sources, regional figures may differ from the national figures for a given metric. For further details about data sources see information on data sources.
Summary
Trends in HBV testing and diagnosis in the general population and risk groups
Main trends are:
- 275 new laboratory reports of hepatitis B in residents of the North East, representing a rate of 10 reports per 100,000 population in 2024
- the number of new laboratory reports has increased by 1.5% between 2023 and 2024, and increased by 77.4% over the past 10 years
- in 2024, the number of new laboratory reports in males was 152 (58%) and in females was 112 (42%)
- in 2024, the highest number of new laboratory reports was in males aged 35 to 44 and females aged 25 to 34
- in 2024, the number of new positive laboratory reports by upper tier local authority of residence ranged from 1 in Hartlepool to 71 in Newcastle upon Tyne; rates were highest in Middlesbrough at 25.6 new laboratory reports per 100,000 population and lowest in Hartlepool with 1 per 100,000 population
- the estimated incidence of acute (or probable acute) infection was 0.5 per 100,000 population. This was the same as the England average of 0.5 per 100,000
- there have been 24,954 individuals tested for hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) in sentinel laboratories in the North East UKHSA region in 2024, of which 0.45% tested positive - the proportion positive was higher among tests referred from GP surgeries (1.1%), similar for drug services (0.5%) and among tests referred from emergency departments (ED) (0.6%).
Monitoring HBV-related morbidity
Main trends are:
- there have been 315 hospital admissions for individuals with a diagnosis code for acute or chronic hepatitis B in North East UKHSA region in 2024 which was higher than in 2023
- the number of hospital admissions with a diagnosis code for hepatitis B-related end-stage liver disease (HBV-related ESLD) and hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-related HCC) was 15 and between 1-7 respectively in 2024
Prevention of infection by immunisation
Main trends are:
- routine hepatitis B vaccine coverage of 3 doses at 24 months in North East UKHSA region was 95.5% for financial year (FY) 2024 to 2025
- vaccine coverage of 3 doses at 24 months has decreased by 0.1 percentage points between FY 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025
- reported level of hepatitis B vaccine uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID) in North East UKHSA region was 60.6% for 2023 (the most recently reported data)
- reported level of hepatitis B vaccine uptake among PWID has increased by 3.6 percentage points between 2022 and 2023
Trends in HBV testing and diagnosis in the general population and risk groups
Estimated prevalence of HBV
Table 1. Estimated hepatitis B prevalence and number of people living with chronic hepatitis B, UKHSA regions and England, 2024
| Region | Estimated number of individuals with chronic hepatitis B, (95% confidence interval (CI)) | Estimated HBsAg prevalence (%), (95% CI) | Estimated SSBBV coverage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 268,767 (227,896 to 314,004) |
0.58 (0.50 to 0.68) |
45 |
| East of England | 19,584 (6,282 to 48,679) |
0.38 (0.12 to 0.95) |
40 |
| East Midlands | 7,584 (3,633 to 15,369) |
0.19 (0.09 to 0.38) |
64 |
| London | 99,067 (78,415 to 120,263) |
1.39 (1.10 to 1.69) |
75 |
| North East | 7,950 (2,700 to 20,289) |
0.36 (0.12 to 0.93) |
32 |
| North West | 25,406 (17,060 to 37,303) |
0.42 (0.28 to 0.62) |
43 |
| South East | 25,678 (12,326 to 53,207) |
0.34 (0.16 to 0.70) |
34 |
| South West | 15,978 (8,336 to 32,977) |
0.34 (0.18 to 0.70) |
30 |
| West Midlands | 24,756 (14,343 to 41,647) |
0.52 (0.30 to 0.87) |
35 |
| Yorkshire and Humber | 16,720 (9,012 to 29,921) |
0.37 (0.20 to 0.67) |
39 |
Data source: Modelling based on Sentinel Surveillance of Bloodborne Virus (SSBBV) testing and Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-year population estimates (MYE). For further information, see information on data sources and Hepatitis B in England national report.
The modelling methodology used to calculate these estimates has been published in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis. It is important to note that there is less confidence in the regional estimates compared to the national estimate and, as the estimates are based on data from the Sentinel Surveillance of Blood Borne Viruses (SSBBV), the accuracy of regional estimates may be influenced by the coverage of SSBBV in that region. Estimated GP population coverage of the SSBBV is presented in the table for information.
2024 modelled estimates derived from SSBBV data (Journal of Viral Hepatitis) indicate approximately 268,767 people are living with hepatitis B in England (95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 227,896 to 314,004). This corresponds to a prevalence estimate of 0.58% (95% CI 0.50% to 0.68%). Prevalence estimates vary across the UKHSA regions with the highest in London (1.4%) and the lowest prevalence estimate in East Midlands (0.19 %). The North East sits in the middle with a prevalence of 0.36% and an estimated 7,950 (95% CI 2,700 to 20,289) people living with hepatitis B. Regional confidence intervals are wider and coverage of SSBBV varies (North East around 32%), therefore, these estimates should be interpreted cautiously. Importantly, the national report notes England does not currently meet the WHO diagnosis and treatment targets of 90% or above diagnosed by 2030.
New laboratory-confirmed diagnoses of HBV
Figure 1. Number of new laboratory reports of hepatitis B (acute and chronic), residents of North East UKHSA region, 2015 to 2024
Data source: Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS). For further information, see information on data sources.
In 2022, a new bloodborne virus (BBV) testing programme was introduced in selected ED sites in areas of high HIV diagnosed prevalence across England. This ‘opt‑out’ programme may have contributed to the rise in new diagnoses nationally. Since its introduction, around 11% of nationally recorded new hepatitis B diagnoses with a known testing location have been made in EDs, the remaining diagnoses were made through existing pathways.
There were 275 new laboratory confirmed reports of hepatitis B (acute and chronic) in North East residents (Figure 1). This is similar to the number reported in 2023 (271). Numbers were substantially lower in 2020 and 2021, likely due to pandemic‑related restrictions and service disruptions. Reports have now exceeded the number reported prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2015 to 2019 (77.4% increase compared with 10 years ago (155)). This may reflect both true increases in testing opportunities and ongoing service recovery across primary and sexual health services.
Figure 2. New laboratory reports of hepatitis B (acute and chronic) rate per 100,000 population [note 1], residents of North East UKHSA region and England, 2015 to 2024
Data sources: SGSS and ONS MYE. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 1: the error bands represent 95% confidence intervals.
In 2024, the rate of new laboratory‑confirmed hepatitis B (acute and chronic) reports in North East residents was 10.0 per 100,000 population, similar to 2023 (9.9) (Figure 2). The regional rate remains below the England average (21.4 per 100,000). Rates have continued to rise since the pandemic and are now the highest reported in the past decade, both locally and nationally.
Since 2022, nationally funded ED opt-out programmes have become an important additional route to diagnosis in England and has contributed substantially to BBV testing and newly identified HBV infections nationally . Although no North East hospitals were included in this initiative to date, one hospital began a separately funded opt-out BBV testing programme which includes HBV in 2024.
Table 2. Number of new laboratory reports of hepatitis B (acute and chronic) by UKHSA region of residence, 2015 to 2024
| Area | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Midlands | 281 | 407 | 574 | 590 | 535 | 339 | 426 | 556 | 675 | 675 |
| East of England | 636 | 674 | 616 | 513 | 616 | 495 | 511 | 650 | 721 | 809 |
| London | 5,581 | 6,666 | 4,875 | 2,851 | 3,302 | 2,531 | 2,703 | 3,830 | 5,291 | 5,359 |
| North East | 155 | 192 | 228 | 199 | 206 | 112 | 144 | 205 | 271 | 275 |
| North West | 780 | 761 | 715 | 830 | 1,123 | 750 | 794 | 771 | 1,137 | 1,736 |
| South East | 712 | 684 | 830 | 726 | 966 | 533 | 734 | 978 | 1,072 | 1,077 |
| South West | 385 | 431 | 569 | 445 | 371 | 348 | 547 | 697 | 590 | 656 |
| West Midlands | 858 | 889 | 890 | 850 | 868 | 557 | 627 | 860 | 1,188 | 1,081 |
| Yorkshire and Humber | 864 | 699 | 683 | 755 | 764 | 451 | 548 | 731 | 804 | 886 |
| England [note 2] | 10,252 | 11,406 | 9,991 | 7,829 | 8,806 | 6,149 | 7,107 | 9,427 | 11,910 | 12,566 |
Data source: SGSS. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 2: sum of all regional cases may not equal the number of England cases as some cases may not have been able to be assigned to a region.
In 2024, the North East recorded the lowest number of new laboratory‑confirmed hepatitis B (acute and chronic) reports (275) (Table 2). London accounted for 5,359 reports, 42.7% of all cases across UKHSA regions, and far exceeded other regions (ranging from 275 in the North East to 1,736 in the North West).
Table 3. Rate per 100,000 population of new laboratory reports of hepatitis B (acute and chronic) by UKHSA region of residence, 2015 to 2024
| Area | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Midlands | 6.0 | 8.6 | 12.0 | 12.3 | 11.0 | 7.0 | 8.7 | 11.3 | 13.5 | 13.3 |
| East of England | 10.0 | 10.5 | 9.5 | 7.9 | 9.4 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 9.7 | 10.6 | 11.8 |
| London | 64.4 | 76.2 | 55.5 | 32.3 | 37.1 | 28.5 | 30.7 | 43.2 | 58.8 | 59.0 |
| North East | 5.9 | 7.3 | 8.7 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 4.2 | 5.4 | 7.6 | 9.9 | 10.0 |
| North West | 10.9 | 10.5 | 9.8 | 11.3 | 15.3 | 10.2 | 10.7 | 10.2 | 14.9 | 22.4 |
| South East | 8.2 | 7.8 | 9.4 | 8.2 | 10.8 | 6.0 | 8.1 | 10.7 | 11.6 | 11.5 |
| South West | 7.0 | 7.8 | 10.2 | 7.9 | 6.6 | 6.1 | 9.6 | 12.1 | 10.1 | 11.1 |
| West Midlands | 14.9 | 15.3 | 15.2 | 14.4 | 14.7 | 9.4 | 10.5 | 14.3 | 19.5 | 17.5 |
| Yorkshire and Humber | 16.1 | 12.9 | 12.6 | 13.9 | 14.0 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 13.2 | 14.3 | 15.6 |
| England | 18.7 | 20.6 | 18.0 | 14.0 | 15.7 | 10.9 | 12.6 | 16.5 | 20.6 | 21.4 |
Data sources: SGSS and ONS MYE. For further information, see information on data sources.
In 2024, the North East had the lowest rate of new laboratory‑confirmed hepatitis B (acute and chronic) reports (10.0 per 100,000 population) (Table 3). London had the highest rate (59.0), well above the England average (21.4), followed by the North West (22.4).
Figure 3. Age group and sex of new laboratory reports of hepatitis B (acute and chronic) [note 3], residents of North East UKHSA region, 2024
Data source: SGSS. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 3: cases reported in children under one year old have been removed. 11 Hepatitis B cases in North East region in 2024 had no age and/or sex data and have not been included in this age-sex pyramid.
Age and sex information was known for 264 of 275 (96.0%) new laboratory-confirmed hepatitis B (acute and chronic) reports in North East residents in 2024. Of these, 152 (57.6%) were male and 112 (42.4%) were female (Figure 3). The highest number of male cases occurred in those aged 35 to 44 (60 out of 152, 39.5%), while among females the highest number was in those aged 25 to 34 (47 out of 112, 42.0%).
Figure 4. Ethnicity distribution of new laboratory reports of new diagnoses of HBV [note 4], residents of North East UKHSA region, 2015 to 2024
Data source: SGSS. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 4: this figure excludes cases of unknown ethnicity.
Ethnicity was known for 90 (32.7%) of the 275 new laboratory‑confirmed hepatitis B (acute and chronic) reports in North East residents in 2024. This represents a substantial decline in completeness compared with previous years (55.0% in 2023; 80% or above in 2015 to 2022) and should be considered when interpreting trends. Among those with known ethnicity, 35 (38.9%) were White British, 30 (33.3%) Black or Black British, and 12 (13.3%) Asian or Asian British (Figure 4). Other ethnic groups each accounted for 10% or fewer of the reported cases.
Table 4. Number of new laboratory reports of hepatitis B (acute and chronic) by upper tier local authority of residence [note 5], North East UKHSA region, 2015 to 2024
| Upper tier local authority | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Durham | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 30 | 22 | 38 |
| Darlington | 5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 8 |
| Gateshead | 11 | 23 | 20 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 9 |
| Hartlepool | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Middlesbrough | 5 | 11 | 34 | 26 | 17 | 9 | 15 | 22 | 41 | 40 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 66 | 69 | 59 | 82 | 95 | 50 | 55 | 73 | 83 | 71 |
| North Tyneside | 11 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 18 |
| Northumberland | 4 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 17 |
| Redcar and Cleveland | 1 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| South Tyneside | 4 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 6 |
| Stockton-on-Tees | 4 | 6 | 23 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 7 |
| Sunderland | 12 | 9 | 13 | 21 | 21 | 4 | 12 | 22 | 49 | 51 |
Data source: SGSS. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 5: this table excludes cases where upper tier local authority was unknown.
Upper‑tier local authority of residence was known for all 275 cases in 2024. The highest numbers of new laboratory‑confirmed hepatitis B reports were in Newcastle upon Tyne (71), followed by Sunderland (51), Middlesbrough (40), and County Durham (38) (Table 4). Hartlepool reported the fewest cases (1). Compared with 2015, the number of reports has increased across all North East local authorities excluding Gateshead and Hartlepool.
Table 5. Rate per 100,000 population of new laboratory reports of hepatitis B (acute and chronic) by upper tier local authority of residence [note 6], North East UKHSA region, 2015 to 2024
| Upper tier local authority | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Durham | 2.9 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 5.7 | 4.1 | 7.1 |
| Darlington | 4.7 | 5.6 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 5.6 | 4.7 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 9.0 | 7.1 |
| Gateshead | 5.5 | 11.4 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 7.0 | 5.5 | 4.4 |
| Hartlepool | 1.1 | 1.1 | 8.7 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 6.3 | 1.0 |
| Middlesbrough | 3.6 | 7.8 | 24.1 | 18.4 | 12.0 | 6.3 | 10.4 | 14.7 | 26.7 | 25.6 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 22.9 | 23.8 | 20.2 | 27.8 | 32.0 | 16.8 | 18.4 | 23.9 | 26.5 | 22.1 |
| North Tyneside | 5.4 | 4.9 | 7.3 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 1.0 | 6.2 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 8.4 |
| Northumberland | 1.3 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 4.3 | 5.1 |
| Redcar and Cleveland | 0.7 | 4.4 | 8.1 | 0.7 | 5.1 | 2.9 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 6.5 |
| South Tyneside | 2.7 | 6.1 | 7.4 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 5.4 | 2.7 | 4.0 |
| Stockton-on-Tees | 2.0 | 3.1 | 11.7 | 6.1 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 5.5 | 7.9 | 3.4 |
| Sunderland | 4.4 | 3.3 | 4.7 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 1.5 | 4.4 | 7.9 | 17.3 | 17.7 |
Data sources: SGSS and ONS MYE. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 6: this table excludes cases where upper tier local authority was unknown.
In 2024, the highest rates of new laboratory‑confirmed hepatitis B reports were in Middlesbrough (25.6 per 100,000), Newcastle upon Tyne (22.1), and Sunderland (17.7) (Table 5). Middlesbrough and Sunderland have seen substantial increases over the past decade, rising from 3.6 and 4.4 per 100,000 respectively in 2015. Rates across the remaining local authorities ranged from 1.0 in Hartlepool to 8.4 in North Tyneside.
Figure 5. Test location of new laboratory reports of hepatitis B (acute and chronic), residents of North East UKHSA region, 2024
Data sources: SGSS. For further information, see information on data sources.
Test location was known for 249 (90.6%) of the 275 reports in 2024. Of these, 52.0% were requested from hospitals (excluding ED), 30.6% from general practice, and fewer than 5% each from EDs, sexual health services, prisons, drug services, community settings, and other locations. This distribution is similar to previous years. Since 2022, the ED opt‑out programme has become an important additional route to diagnosis in England and has contributed substantially to BBV testing and newly identified HBV infections nationally. James Cook hospital began an opt-out BBV testing programme in early 2024.
Acute or probable acute diagnoses of HBV
Figure 6. Estimated incidence of acute or probable acute hepatitis B per 100,000 population by UKHSA region [note 7], 2024
Data sources: SGSS, UKHSA Case and Incident Management System (CIMS) and ONS MYE. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 7: UKHSA transitioned to a new case management system for notifiable diseases in 2024 which has impacted the identification of people with acute hepatitis B and likely resulted in underreporting.
In 2024, the North East had the fourth highest estimated incidence of acute or probable acute hepatitis B (0.54 per 100,000 population) among UKHSA regions, exceeding the England national rate of 0.47 per 100,000 (Figure 6). It is possible incidence of acute cases is an underestimate in all regions nationally (see note 8, below).
Figure 7. Estimated incidence of acute or probable acute hepatitis B per 100,000 population [note 8], North East UKHSA region and England, 2015 to 2024
Data sources: SGSS, CIMS and ONS MYE. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 8: UKHSA transitioned to a new case management system for notifiable diseases in 2024 which has impacted the identification of people with acute hepatitis B and likely resulted in underreporting.
In the North East, the estimated incidence of acute or probable acute hepatitis B rose slightly in 2024 (0.54 per 100,000 population) compared with 2023 (0.51), but remains below pre‑pandemic levels (0.72 in 2018 and 0.61 in 2019) (Figure 7). The markedly lower rates in 2020 and 2021 were likely due to pandemic‑related restrictions and service disruption.
HBV testing in the wider population
Figure 8. Number of individuals tested for HBsAg by year (excluding antenatal testing) and proportion positive in sentinel laboratories [note 9] in North East UKHSA region, 2015 to 2024
Data source: Sentinel Surveillance of Bloodborne Virus Testing. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 9: the error band represents 95% confidence intervals.
The number of individuals tested for HBsAg in sentinel laboratories has increased steadily over the past decade, rising from 12,802 in 2015 to 24,954 in 2024 (a 94.9% increase) (Figure 8). Over the same period, the percentage of positive tests declined from 0.58% in 2015 to 0.45% in 2024.
Numbers tested and positivity rates according to service-type (GP, SHS, people-who-inject drugs and/or drug services and EDs) are presented in Figures 9 to 12. However, a large proportion of diagnoses were made in ‘other’ services in the North East (>80%). The ‘other’ category includes includes prisons, hospitals (excluding EDs), mental health services, community healthcare, occupational health services, care or residential homes, university, and fertility clinics.
General practice continued to show a higher positivity of HBV (1.1%, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.5), reflecting more risk‑proximal testing. Whereas drug services (0.5%, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.2) and EDs (0.6%, 95% CI 0.2 to 2.1) had lower positivity. Sexual health services In the North East changed provider for testing and are no longer represented in sentinel data for 2014.
Figure 9. Number of individuals tested for HBsAg by year (excluding antenatal testing) and proportion positive, through GP surgeries in sentinel laboratories [note 9] in North East UKHSA region, 2015 to 2024
Data source: Sentinel Surveillance of Bloodborne Virus Testing. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 9: the error band represents 95% confidence intervals.
Of the 24,954 individuals tested for HBsAg in the North East in 2024, 3,103 (12.4%) were referred through GP surgeries submitting samples to sentinel laboratories (Figure 9). The percentage of positive tests in this group was 1.1%; higher than the overall percentage positive across all sentinel laboratory testing, and higher than that observed in other service types (Figures 10 to 12), reflecting more risk‑proximal testing. The rise in testing seen in 2018 coincides with local initiatives to expand blood‑borne virus testing and a Public Health England hepatitis C engagement exercise.
Testing and diagnoses in sexual health services (SHS)
Figure 10. Number of individuals tested for HBsAg by year (excluding antenatal testing) and proportion positive, through sexual health services in sentinel laboratories [note 9] in North East UKHSA region, 2015 to 2024
Data source: Sentinel Surveillance of Bloodborne Virus Testing. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 9: the error band represents 95% confidence intervals.
Of the 24,954 individuals tested for HBsAg in the North East in 2024, 45 (<1%) were referred through sexual health services submitting samples to sentinel laboratories (Figure 10). The percentage of positive tests in this group was 0%. The marked reduction in sexual health service testing in 2024 reflects changes in provider that resulted in samples no longer being sent to the North East sentinel surveillance laboratory.
Testing and diagnoses in people who inject drugs and/or attend drug services
Figure 11. Number of individuals tested for HBsAg by year (excluding antenatal testing) and proportion positive, through drug services in sentinel laboratories [note 9] [note 10] in North East UKHSA region, 2015 to 2024
Data source: Sentinel Surveillance of Bloodborne Virus Testing. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 9: the error band represents 95% confidence intervals.
Note 10: between 2023 and 2024, there was underreporting of hepatitis testing data from a sentinel laboratory which undertakes a large proportion of testing for drug treatment services, making it difficult to monitor trends in drug treatment services over this period.
Of the 24,954 individuals tested for HBsAg in the North East in 2024, 883 (3.5%) were referred through drug services submitting samples to sentinel laboratories (Figure 11). The percentage of positive tests in this group was 0.45%; similar to the overall percentage positive across all sentinel laboratory testing.
Testing and diagnoses in people attending emergency departments
Figure 12. Number of individuals tested for HBsAg by year and proportion positive, through emergency departments in sentinel laboratories [note 9] in North East UKHSA region, 2015 to 2024
Data source: Sentinel Surveillance of Bloodborne Virus Testing. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 9: the error band represents 95% confidence intervals.
From 2022 to 2024, the opt-out ED BBV testing programme was scaled-up, leading to increased numbers of tests being conducted in these sentinel surveillance sites nationally. Although there were no nationally funded ED opt-out programmes in the North East, areas of the region began implementing opt-out ED BBV testing in 2024. However, this testing is not done in a sentinel laboratory and will not be represented here.
Of the 24,954 individuals tested for HBsAg in the North East in 2024, 350 (1.4%) were referred through emergency departments submitting samples to sentinel laboratories (Figure 12). The percentage of positive tests in this group was 0.57%; higher than the overall percentage positive across all sentinel laboratory testing.
Coverage of maternal hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing
Figure 13. Coverage of hepatitis B antenatal screening by NHS region - Screening Standard IDPS-S02, NHS North East and Yorkshire region, financial years 2021/2022 to 2023/2024
Data source: Infectious Disease in Pregnancy Screening (IDPS) (for further information, see information on data sources)
The Infectious Disease in Pregnancy Screening (IDPS) programme changed its regional reporting structure in 2021, so data is only available from FY 2021 to 2022 onward. NHS regions differ from UKHSA regions; the region used here is the NHS North East and Yorkshire area.
In the FY 2023 to 2024, 82,982 women were eligible for hepatitis B antenatal screening in this NHS region, with 99.8% tested - surpassing the WHO 2030 target of 90% or above (Figure 13).
Monitoring HBV-related morbidity
Hospital admissions with HBV
Figure 14. Number of hospital admissions [note 11] and admission rate per 100,000 population [note 12] for individuals with a diagnosis code for acute or chronic hepatitis B [note 13], residents of North East UKHSA region [note 14], 2015 to 2024
Data source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), NHS England. Produced by the UK Health Security Agency. Copyright © 2025, re-used with the permission of NHS England. All rights reserved. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 11: data has been suppressed in accordance with NHS disclosure control guidance for sub-national breakdowns. Numbers between 1 and 7 (inclusive) are suppressed and (where applicable) represented in the figure by asterisks (*). All other numbers are rounded to the nearest 5. Zeroes are unchanged. Due to data quality issues around HES identifiers, data has been omitted for 2017 and 2018 (grey box).
Note 12: rates have been calculated using ONS mid-year population estimates.
Note 13: hepatitis B is defined by ‘International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision’ (ICD-10) codes B16.0, B16.1, B16.2, B16.9, B18.0 and B18.1.
Note 14: there is a high proportion of data missingness in the HES data for the geographies of residence for people admitted to hospital with acute and chronic hepatitis B (approximately 25% for 2024 admissions). This means that the regional admission counts and rates are likely an underestimate of the true number.
In 2024, there were 315 (rounded to the nearest 5) hospital admissions for acute or chronic hepatitis B in the North East UKHSA region, an increase from 245 in 2023 (Figure 14). The hospital admission rate per 100,000 people for those with a diagnosis code of acute or chronic hepatitis B increased in the North East from 7.5 per 100,000 population in 2022 to 11.4 per 100,000 population in 2024. This mirrored the national trend, although the admission rate was lower in the North East than in England in 2024 (20.0 per 100,000).
Figure 15. Number of hospital admissions [note 15] for individuals with a diagnosis code for hepatitis B-related end-stage liver disease (HBV-related ESLD) or hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-related HCC) [note 16] [note 17], residents of North East UKHSA region [note 18], 2015 to 2024
Data source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), NHS England. Produced by the UK Health Security Agency. Copyright © 2025, re-used with the permission of the NHS England. All rights reserved. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 15: data has been suppressed in accordance with NHS disclosure control guidance for sub-national breakdowns. Numbers between 1 and 7 (inclusive) are suppressed and (where applicable) represented in the figure by asterisks (*). All other numbers are rounded to the nearest 5. Zeroes are unchanged. Due to data quality issues around HES identifiers, data has been omitted for 2017 and 2018 (grey box).
Note 16: end-stage liver disease (ESLD) is defined by ICD-10 codes for ascites (R18), bleeding oesophageal varices (I85.0 and I98.3), hepato-renal syndrome (K76.7), hepatic encephalopathy (K72.9) or hepatic failure (K72.0, K72.1 and K70.4). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is defined by ICD-10 code for hepatocellular carcinoma (C22.0).
Note 17: the methodology used to calculate hepatitis B-related ESLD and HCC admissions has been updated for this report, as the previous method of only using HES data may under report hepatitis B as it relies on a diagnosis of hepatitis B being recorded in HES. The updated methodology, which follows the ‘upper bound’ methodology outlined in Hepatitis B in England 2025 report, links HES data to laboratory diagnoses of hepatitis B from SGSS and SSBBV from any year.
Note 18: there is a high proportion of data missingness in the HES data for the geographies of residence for people admitted to hospital with ESLD and/or HCC (approximately 23% for ESLD admissions in 2024 and approximately 26% for HCC admissions in 2024). This means that the regional admission counts are likely an underestimate of the true number.
In 2024, there were 15 (rounded to the nearest 5) HBV-related ESLD cases in the North East, similar to both 2023 and 2015 (Figure 15). Fewer than 8 HBV‑related HCC cases were recorded in 2024, fewer than in 2023 and comparable to 2015.
Monitoring HBV-related mortality
Figure 16. Rate of deaths with ESLD [note 19] or HCC in those with HBV mentioned on their death certificate [note 20] by UKHSA region, 2020 to 2024
Data sources: ONS Mortality and ONS MYE. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 19: ESLD is defined by codes or text entries for ascites, bleeding oesophageal varices, hepato-renal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy or hepatic failure. Patients were identified via ICD-10 codes and text searching.
Note 20: the methodology used to calculate hepatitis B-related mortality has been updated for this report, as the previous method of only counting deaths where ESLD and/or HCC and hepatitis B were reported in ONS death registrations may lead to underreporting. The updated methodology, which follows the ‘upper estimate’ methodology outlined in Hepatitis B in England 2025 report, links ONS deaths registrations data to HES hospital admissions data and laboratory diagnoses of hepatitis B from SGSS and SSBBV from any year to yield a maximum number of deaths attributable to hepatitis B-related ESLD and/or HCC.
Between 2020 and 2024, the death rate from ESLD or HCC among individuals with HBV mentioned on their death certificate was 0.14 per 100,000 population in the North East (Figure 16). This was among the lowest of the UKHSA regions, alongside the East Midlands (0.18). The England average for the same period was 0.33 per 100,000.
Prevention of infection by immunisation
Coverage of hepatitis B vaccine 3 doses (HepB3) in universal programme
Figure 17. Routine hepatitis B vaccine coverage of 3 doses of the hexavalent vaccine at 12 months, North East UKHSA region and England, financial year 2019/2020 to 2024/2025
Data source: NHS Childhood Vaccination Coverage Statistics (COVER). For further information, see information on data sources.
The North East has consistently achieved over 90% coverage for children receiving 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine by their first birthday, ranging from 95.8% in FY 2019/2020 to 95.2% in FY 2024/2025 (Figure 17). However, as seen across other infant immunisation programmes in the UK, coverage has been gradually declining both regionally and nationally.
Figure 18. Routine hepatitis B vaccine coverage of 3 doses of the hexavalent vaccine at 24 months, North East UKHSA region and England, financial years 2020/2021 to 2024/2025
Data source: NHS COVER. For further information, see information on data sources.
Coverage for 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine increased at 24 months of age compared with 12 months, ranging from 96.7% in FY 2020 to 2021 to 95.5% in FY 2024 to 2025 (Figure 18).
Coverage of hepatitis B vaccine 3 doses (HepB3) in selective programme
Table 6. Children born to mothers positive for hepatitis B vaccinated against hepatitis B by their first birthday by upper tier local authority: vaccine coverage (5 doses routine and selective combined [note 21]) and eligible population, North East UKHSA region, FY 2024 to 2025
| Local authority | Eligible population | Number vaccinated | Percentage covered (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Durham | 0 | 0 | Not applicable |
| Darlington | [note 22] | [note 22] | 70% to 100% |
| Gateshead | 0 | 0 | Not applicable |
| Hartlepool | [note 22] | [note 22] | 70% to 100% |
| Middlesbrough | 11 | 9 | 81.80% |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 13 | 13 | 100.00% |
| North Tyneside | 0 | 0 | Not applicable |
| Northumberland | [note 22] | [note 22] | 70% to 100% |
| Redcar and Cleveland | 0 | 0 | Not applicable |
| South Tyneside | 0 | 0 | Not applicable |
| Stockton-on-Tees | 5 | 5 | 100.00% |
| Sunderland | 6 | 5 | 83.30% |
Data source: NHS COVER. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 21: babies received 2 monovalent vaccines (at birth and at 4 weeks), and 3 doses of hexavalent vaccines (at 8, 12 and 16 weeks).
Note 22: denotes that data is suppressed due to potential disclosure issues associated with small numbers.
In FY 2024 to 2025, data on hepatitis B vaccination coverage in the high‑risk selective programme by 12 months of age were suppressed for 3 of the 12 North East local authorities due to small numbers, and were not applicable for 5 authorities as no eligible children were identified. Among the remaining four authorities, coverage ranged from 81.8% in Middlesbrough to 100% in Newcastle upon Tyne and Stockton‑on‑Tees. Given the very small number of eligible children, these figures should be interpreted with caution.
Table 7. Children born to mothers positive for hepatitis B vaccinated against hepatitis B by their second birthday by upper tier local authority: vaccine coverage (6 doses routine and selective combined [note 23]) and eligible population, North East UKHSA region, FY 2024 to 2025
| Local authority | Eligible population | Number vaccinated | Percentage covered (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Durham | 0 | 0 | Not applicable |
| Darlington | 0 | 0 | Not applicable |
| Gateshead | [note 24] | [note 24] | 70% to 100% |
| Hartlepool | 0 | 0 | Not applicable |
| Middlesbrough | 5 | 5 | 100.00% |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 11 | 11 | 100.00% |
| North Tyneside | 0 | 0 | Not applicable |
| Northumberland | [note 24] | [note 24] | 70% to 100% |
| Redcar and Cleveland | 0 | 0 | Not applicable |
| South Tyneside | 0 | 0 | Not applicable |
| Stockton-on-Tees | [note 24] | [note 24] | 35% to 69% |
| Sunderland | 5 | 5 | 100.00% |
Data source: NHS COVER. For further information, see information on data sources.
Note 23: babies received 3 monovalent vaccines (at birth, 4 weeks and 12 months), and 3 doses of hexavalent vaccines (at 8, 12 and 16 weeks).
Note 24: denotes that data is suppressed due to potential disclosure issues associated with small numbers.
In FY 2024 to 2025, data on hepatitis B vaccination coverage in the high‑risk selective programme by 24 months of age were suppressed for 3 of the 12 North East local authorities due to small numbers, and were not applicable for 6 authorities as no eligible children were identified. For the remaining 3 authorities (Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland) coverage was 100%. Given the very small number of eligible children, these figures should be interpreted with caution.
Vaccine uptake in people who inject drugs
Figure 19. Reported level of hepatitis B vaccine uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID), North East UKHSA region, 2014 to 2023
Data source: Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring (UAM) survey. For further information, see information on data sources.
Hepatitis B vaccine uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID) increased slightly to 60.6% in 2023. Uptake in the North East is comparable to the England average of 62.2% in 2023.
Prevention of infection by harm reduction
Figure 20. Reported level of direct sharing of needles and/or syringes among people who inject drugs (PWID) in the preceding 4 weeks, North East UKHSA region and England, 2014 to 2023
Data source: UAM survey. For further information, see information on data sources.
The reported level of direct needle and syringe sharing among PWID increased from 21.7% in 2022 to 27.2% in 2023 and is slightly above the England average of 25.2% in 2023.
Figure 21. Reported level of direct and indirect sharing of injecting equipment among people who inject drugs (PWID) in the preceding 4 weeks, North East UKHSA region and England, 2014 to 2023
Data source: UAM survey. For further information, see information on data sources.
The percentage of PWID who reported direct and indirect sharing of injecting equipment increased from 41.3% in 2022 to 46.4% in 2023 and remains slightly higher than the England average of 43.9% in 2023.
Information on data sources
Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)
Brief description
SGSS captures routine laboratory surveillance data on infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance from laboratories within England. Along with a number of other organisms, hepatitis B is notifiable under the Health Protection (Notifications) Regulations (2010).
Technical notes
Data extracted from Sentinel Surveillance of blood borne virus testing (SSBBV) and SGSS will vary for several reasons and should not be compared: the 2 systems have collected data over different historical periods, with data reported to SGSS and predecessor systems since 1995, whereas SSBBV has been running since 2002. Data reported to SSBBV reflects the timeframe from when the laboratory joined the surveillance system, with laboratories joining more recently having less data available than laboratories who have been reporting since 2002. Furthermore, whilst SGSS collects national level data, SSBBV collects data from a subset of laboratories. There are 35 laboratories which report to SSBBV with an estimated 45% coverage testing in the GP registered population in England.
Data completeness for ethnicity within this dataset declines over time, due to changes in methodology. ONOMAP, an ethnicity estimator which classifies ethnicity based on name is no longer used. Ethnicity is assigned using data reported through the test request form and through linkage to healthcare datasets and represents ethnicity that is assigned rather than estimated. Data will improve over time as additional information is reported, older records are more likely to be more complete.
Laboratory reports of new diagnoses of HBV include positive test results for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and are submitted to UKHSA or predecessor organisations via SGSS/CoSurv.
Data includes laboratory reports for both acute and chronic hepatitis B infections and therefore cannot be used to estimate incidence.
Data is assigned to local authority and UKHSA region by patient postcode where present, if patient postcode is unknown, data is assigned to local authority and UKHSA region of registered general practice; where both patient postcode and registered general practice are unknown data is assigned to local authority and UKHSA region of laboratory.
Dates are assigned based on earliest positive specimen date.
Patient identifiable data submitted by NHS laboratories is variable, particularly from sexual health and drug and alcohol services, which limits the ability to deduplicate.
Laboratory reports for children under one year of age are excluded from the analyses to rule out detecting maternal antibody.
Rates per 100,000 have been calculated using mid-year population estimates supplied by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Caveat: SGSS data in this report may differ from data shown in the Hepatitis B in England report and from data reported in other surveillance outputs at a different point in time. This is due to the SGSS dataset being a live system and a number of cleaning, deduplication, remapping and other operational processes being routinely applied to the data to improve data quality.
HPZone/CIMS
Brief description
HPZone was a case and outbreak management system used by the health protection teams (HPTs) in UKHSA until mid-2024, when it was replaced by a new Case and Incident Management System (CIMS). Details related to cases of hepatitis A, B, C and E are stored on this system in addition to details of other infections reported to the HPTs.
HPZone and CIMS are secure systems. Where acute hepatitis B cases are reported, HPTS used HPZone historically and CIMS currently to capture data about these cases and relevant risk factors to inform public health action. As a result of the transition from HPZone to CIMS in mid-2024, there is a known issue that has likely impacted the identification of people with acute hepatitis B and likely resulted in the underreporting of cases.
Hepatitis B case definitions using SGSS and HPZone/CIMS data
The definition for acute hepatitis B is ‘HBsAg positive and anti-HBc IgM positive and abnormal liver function tests with a pattern consistent with acute viral hepatitis’. As information on liver function is not usually available to UKHSA, for the purpose of this analysis the following case definitions were used:
- cases classified as acute viral hepatitis B by the local UKHSA region or the laboratory and/or with a documented positive anti-HBc IgM were classified as acute cases
- cases classified as acute viral hepatitis B by the local UKHSA region but without an anti-HBc IgM test result or not classified but a positive anti-HBc IgM reported were assumed to be probable acute hepatitis B cases
- cases initially classified as acute by the local UKHSA region but with contradictory laboratory evidence were reclassified as chronic infections
- cases classified as chronic infections or those not classified where anti-HBc IgM was negative or equivocal or missing were assumed to be chronic infections
The case definitions were derived using the following methodology: cases reported to UKHSA regions via HPZone/CIMS were extracted from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2024 and matched using identifiers to SGSS data. The SGSS data was used to determine final classification of any cases reported from the UKHSA region via HPZone/CIMS. A final reconciled data set including cases classified as acute or probable acute was used for this report.
Technical notes
UKHSA transitioned to a new case management system for notifiable diseases in 2024 which has impacted the identification of people with acute hepatitis B and likely resulted in underreporting.
Sentinel Surveillance of bloodborne viruses (BBVs)
Brief description
The sentinel surveillance study of hepatitis, HIV and HTLV began in 2002 and provides information on testing, individual risk exposures and clinical symptoms. The study collects information on blood borne virus testing carried out in participating sentinel laboratories regardless of result. In 2022 there were 24 participating laboratories and at the time this report was produced there were 28 participating laboratories, some of the new laboratories have provided legacy data if they were able to.
Technical notes
See first technical note for SGSS.
Excludes dried blood spot, oral fluid, reference testing and testing from hospitals referring all samples. Data is de-duplicated subject to availability of date of birth, Soundex and first initial.
Individuals under one year old are excluded from the analysis.
Regional and England data is aggregated data for all organisations who provided complete data for all 4 quarters. Data is assigned to UKHSA region by the location of the requesting testing site.
Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy Screening (IDPS)
Brief description
NHSE’s IDPS Programme has commissioned the Integrated Screening Outcomes Surveillance Service (ISOSS). ISOSS monitors pregnancies where the mother is screen positive or is already known to have hepatitis B. Monitoring is also conducted for HIV, syphilis as well as continuing monitoring cases of congenital rubella syndrome
Technical notes
Published data can be found at Antenatal screening standards: data report 2020 to 2021.
Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)
Brief description
HES is a database containing details of all admissions, A&E attendances and outpatient appointments at NHS hospitals in England. This data is used to calculate the number of individuals per year that have a hospital admission related to hepatitis B associated end stage liver disease (ESLD) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is also used to calculate incidence of HBV related ESLD and HCC.
Technical notes
Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), NHS England. Produced by the UK Health Security Agency. Copyright © 2025, re-used with the permission of the NHS England. All rights reserved.
Data is based on Hospital Episode Statistics as at October 2025.
Patients who have had more than one hospital episode with a diagnosis of HBV in any one year and who have moved residence within that year have been grouped into the UKHSA region of their latest hospital episode in that year.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is defined by ICD-10 code for hepatocellular carcinoma (C22.0). End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is defined by ICD-10 codes for ascites (R18), bleeding oesophageal varices (I85.0 and I98.3), hepato-renal syndrome (K76.7), hepatic encephalopathy (K72.9) or hepatic failure (K72.0, K72.1 and K70.4).
Data for 2017 and 2018 has been omitted. This is due an interrupt in the supply of identifiers in the HES year April 2017 to March 2018 making it impossible to distinguish repeat hospital episodes for the same person within the same year, and thus determine the number of prevalent cases of HBV and HBV-related HCC/ESLD in 2017 and 2018.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) Mortality data
Brief description
Data from the Mortality and Birth Information System is used to calculate the number of deaths from end stage liver disease (ESLD) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with hepatitis B mentioned on the death certificate.
Technical notes
Published data about deaths can be found on the ONS website.
Data on the number of deaths from ESLD and HCC in this report was identified by searching the ONS Mortality dataset using a combination of 2 methodologies described below, deaths that met either of these criteria were included in this report:
- searching for all causes of mortality using the following ICD-10 codes - ‘C220’, ‘R18’, ‘K767’, ‘K729’, ‘K720’, ‘K721’, ‘K704’, ‘I850’, ‘I983’
- searching all free-text variables for the following terms - “hepatocellular c%”, “primary liver c%”, “hcc”, “ascites”, “encephal%”, “liver failure”, “hepatorenal syndrome”, “hepatic failure”, “hepatic coma”, “bleeding o%”, “ruptured oesoph%”, “haemorrhage from oesoph%”, where ICD-10 codes ‘B160’, ‘B161’, ‘B162’, ‘B169’, ‘B181’, ‘B180’ were also reported on the death certificate
There has been no additional clinical review stage, as may be conducted on other UKHSA reporting for ESLD/HCC mortality, and therefore numbers may vary slightly from other reports.
Cover of Vaccination Evaluated Rapidly (COVER)
Brief description
The COVER programme is a quarterly data collection that started in 1987 with the aim of providing timely data. COVER data is extracted from Child Health Information Systems at the local authority level for children aged one, 2 and 5 years of age. Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B have been offered the hepatitis B vaccine from birth since the late 1980s. During autumn 2017 hepatitis B became part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule for all babies in a 6-in-1 vaccine.
Technical notes
Data from the Universal Programme:
- in FY 2019 to 2020, all children in the 12 month cohort were eligible for the DtaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (6-in-1) vaccination, which replaced the 5-in-1 vaccination
- this is the first year coverage is fully reported against the 6-in-1 vaccine for the 12 month cohort
- the DTaP/IPV/Hib (5-in-1) vaccine was replaced by the DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (6-in-1) vaccine in August 2017; therefore the 24 month age cohort in FY 2019 to 2020 (born in FY 2017 to 2018), will have received either the 5-in-1 or the 6-in-1 vaccination, depending on when in the year they were vaccinated
- from FY 2020 to 2021 onwards, all children in the 12 month cohort and 24 month cohort were eligible for the DtaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (6-in-1) vaccination, which replaced the 5-in-1 vaccination in 2017
- the DTaP/IPV/Hib (5-in-1) vaccine was replaced by the DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (6-in-1) vaccine in August 2017; therefore the 5 year age cohort in FY 2022 to 2023 (born in FY 2017 to 2018), will have received either the 5-in-1 or the 6-in-1 vaccination, depending on when in the year they were vaccinated
- all babies born on or after 1 January 2020 received their first dose of PCV at 12 weeks of age
- prior to this, PCV primary at 12 months was 2 doses administered at 8 and 16 weeks - FY 2021 to 2022 is the first year that coverage reported is based on the single dose primary course
Data from the Selective Programme:
- the ‘eligible population’ is the total number of children reaching their first birthday during the specified evaluation period with maternal Hep B positive status
- the ‘number of children vaccinated’ by their first birthday is total number of children from the eligible population receiving 2 monovalent HepB vaccines (at birth and one month) and 3 doses of hexavalent vaccine (at 8, 12 and 16 weeks) before their first birthday
- the ‘number of children vaccinated’ by their second birthday is total number of children from the eligible population receiving 3 monovalent HepB vaccines at birth, 4 weeks and 12 months, and 3 doses of hexavalent vaccine (at 8, 12 and 16 weeks) before their 2nd birthday
- small number suppression is carried out on data in this table, adhering to the following methodology; suppress all data (that is, eligible population, number vaccinated and coverage) where the eligible population is 1 or 2, and where the eligible population is greater than 2 and the number of children vaccinated is 0 or 1, suppress the number of children vaccinated and the coverage
Due to small number suppression, some local authorities had to be combined, therefore:
- Leicestershire also contains data for Rutland
- Hackney also contains data for City of London
- Cornwall also contains data for Isles of Scilly
More information can be found at Childhood Vaccination Coverage Statistics, England, 2022 to 2023.
Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring (UAM) Survey
Brief description
The voluntary UAM survey recruits people who have ever injected psychoactive drugs through specialist services (such as needle and syringe programmes and addiction treatment centres) across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Those who agree to take part complete a questionnaire and provide a biological specimen that is tested anonymously for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Technical notes
Regional level data from the UAM survey should be interpreted cautiously as the survey recruits participants through a nationally reflective sample of the services provided to people who inject drugs.
Published regional-level data and more information can be found at People who inject drugs: HIV and viral hepatitis monitoring.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the following:
- local laboratories for supplying the hepatitis data
- the UKHSA Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI and HIV Division for collection, analysis and distribution of data
- the UKHSA Epidemiology Data Science unit (part of the Regions Data Science team) for producing the charts and figures contained in this report
- the Office for National Statistics (ONS carried out the original collection and collation of the data but bears no responsibility for their future analysis or interpretation)
- the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), NHS England, produced by UKHSA
About Field Services
Field Services is a Division within UKHSA that provides a national service comprising geographically dispersed multi-disciplinary teams integrating expertise in Field Epidemiology, Public Health Microbiology, Rapid Investigation, Real-time Syndromic Surveillance, and Field Epidemiology Training to strengthen the surveillance, epidemiological intelligence and response functions of UKHSA.
You can contact your local Field Services team at fes.northeast@ukhsa.gov.uk
If you have any comments or feedback regarding this report or the Field Services, please contact FS.Central@ukhsa.gov.uk