13 May 2005
Immunisation of all children in the UK against the hepatitis B virus would be more cost-effective than treating the thousands of patients who carry the virus, the British Medical Association said this week.
The BMA said hepatitis B, which is transmitted by contact with blood or body fluids, was on the rise and around 180,000 people in the UK were chronically infected with it.
In the UK, wholesale vaccination (at around £10 per child) is not believed to be cost-effective and instead is targeted at risk groups, such as the children of women with the virus and prostitutes.
BMA deputy chair Sam Everington said: 'Hepatitis B-related illness costs the NHS millions of pounds every year and causes untold suffering.
'An immunisation programme will not only save lives but be more cost-effective than treating liver disease and cancer caused by hepatitis B.'
The Department of Health said it was examining whether its policy should change.
PFmay2005
