Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand

22/12/2025

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday break. From all of us here at The Hepatitis Foundation.

Our office will be closed from 12pm on Friday 19th December and reopen on Monday 5th January 2026. You can contact the team on hepteam@hfnz.nz and we will respond on our return.

11/12/2025

🚨 Is the Hepatitis B Vaccine Safe? What You Need to Know. 🚨

Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine recommendation narrowing the agency's hepatitis B immunisation guidance for newborns in the United States the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand reaffirms its unwavering support for the country’s universal hepatitis B vaccination schedule which has been a cornerstone of New Zealand's public health for over 35 years.

And for good reason:

* 94,000 Kiwis are currently impacted by this dangerous, cancer-causing virus.
* The vaccine is the best prevention against chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
* For babies born to mothers with Hepatitis B, the vaccine within 24 hours of birth is 90% crucial for preventing a lifelong chronic illness.

Professor Ed Gane, Specialist Hepatologist, confirms: "The Hepatitis B vaccine is a crucial investment in the long-term health and prosperity of all New Zealanders."

It’s more than just an injection; it’s a powerful tool for protecting our most vulnerable.

Want the facts about New Zealand's world-leading vaccination program and how it protects your whānau?

👉 Click to read the Foundation's full statement and find out who is eligible for the free vaccine:

Following international reports and political commentary questioning the efficacy and safety of the hepatitis B vaccine, the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand today reaffirmed its unwavering support

12/11/2025

We have the tools to tackle hepatitis, but without finding the missing thousands of New Zealanders, we can’t achieve elimination.

Did you know nearly 100,000 New Zealanders live with chronic hepatitis B and 60% remain undiagnosed? Most people have no symptoms, so you may not know you have it. Left unmonitored, hepatitis B can lead to liver damage and eventually to liver cancer. Ongoing damage to your liver can be prevented and we can help with ongoing monitoring.

If you can answer ‘Yes’ to any of the below:
- You are over 35 years of age
- You are of Māori, Pacific or Asian ethnicity
- Your mother or close family member has hepatitis B
- You live with someone who has hepatitis B
- You were born outside New Zealand, from a high risk country
- Have had unprotected s*x with a person living with hepatitis
- Have ever injected drugs
- Have received a tattoo using unsterilised equipment

You are more at risk of having contracted hepatitis B.

Let’s get you tested today, call 0800 33 20 10 or ask your GP for a blood test to check. It could save your life.

06/10/2025

Reminder: Join us for our informative webinar tomorrow night at 7pm, where you can learn about reducing the risks of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)/Liver cancer from our Specialist Hepatologist, Dr Alex Lampen-Smith.

Health professionals, this one is for you - come along to our Webinar on October 8th - Healthy livers: Understanding the causes and how to reduce the risk of liver cancer.

Over 400 New Zealanders are diagnosed with primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC), each year. This cancer disproportionately impacts Maori, Pasifika, and Asian communities, as hepatitis B is the main cause. 94,000 people in Aotearoa are living with hepatitis B (HBV), and almost half are undiagnosed. Along with hepatitis B, metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formally known as NAFLD), alcohol use and hepatitis C are the other main risk factors for liver cancer in Aotearoa.

This webinar will provide an overview of the key risk factors for liver cancer along with liver assessment in primary care, important advice for optimising liver health, liver cancer risk reduction, monitoring and early detection.

Presented by Dr. Alex Lampen-Smith, a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty and Specialist Hepatologist for the Hepatitis Foundation of NZ, will guide our discussion.

Join us Wednesday, October 8 - 7-8pm for this evening webinar to learn how you can better support your patients.

REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED
Use the link: https://lnkd.in/g6ggsJ53

03/10/2025

🚨 Is the Hepatitis B Vaccine Safe? What You Need to Know. 🚨

Following recent international discussions, the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand is speaking out to reaffirm the critical importance and safety of our national hepatitis B vaccination schedule! 🛡️

Here in Aotearoa, the vaccine has been a cornerstone of public health for over 35 years—and for good reason:

94,000 Kiwis are currently impacted by this dangerous, cancer-causing virus.

The vaccine is the best prevention against chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

For babies born to mothers with Hepatitis B, the vaccine within 24 hours of birth is 90% crucial for preventing a lifelong chronic illness.

Professor Ed Gane, Specialist Hepatologist, confirms: "The Hepatitis B vaccine is a crucial investment in the long-term health and prosperity of all New Zealanders."

It’s more than just an injection; it’s a powerful tool for protecting our most vulnerable.

Want the facts about New Zealand's world-leading vaccination program and how it protects your whānau?

👉 Click to read the Foundation's full statement and find out who is eligible for the free vaccine: https://www.hepatitisfoundation.org.nz/blog/post/153427/critical-importance-of-hepatitis-b-vaccine/

Following international reports and political commentary questioning the efficacy and safety of the hepatitis B vaccine, the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand today reaffirmed its unwavering support

19/09/2025

Health professionals, this one is for you - come along to our Webinar on October 8th - Healthy livers: Understanding the causes and how to reduce the risk of liver cancer.

Over 400 New Zealanders are diagnosed with primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC), each year. This cancer disproportionately impacts Maori, Pasifika, and Asian communities, as hepatitis B is the main cause. 94,000 people in Aotearoa are living with hepatitis B (HBV), and almost half are undiagnosed. Along with hepatitis B, metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formally known as NAFLD), alcohol use and hepatitis C are the other main risk factors for liver cancer in Aotearoa.

This webinar will provide an overview of the key risk factors for liver cancer along with liver assessment in primary care, important advice for optimising liver health, liver cancer risk reduction, monitoring and early detection.

Presented by Dr. Alex Lampen-Smith, a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty and Specialist Hepatologist for the Hepatitis Foundation of NZ, will guide our discussion.

Join us Wednesday, October 8 - 7-8pm for this evening webinar to learn how you can better support your patients.

REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED
Use the link: https://lnkd.in/g6ggsJ53

29/07/2025

28/07/2025

27/07/2025

Hepatitis is one of the world's most common infectious diseases, with over 250 million people globally living with chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Right here in New Zealand, an estimated 94,000 people are living with HBV, and alarmingly, 50% of these are yet to be diagnosed. HBV is the primary cause of primary liver cancer in NZ, contributing to an estimated 300 deaths annually due to hepatitis B and C.

At The Hepatitis Foundation, we run a free, lifelong, national monitoring program for all New Zealanders living with HBV, which is proven to improve health outcomes. People registered with HFNZ receive regular HBV monitoring, assessment, education, and support.

If you or your whānau would like to be tested or need support, we're here for you. Contact our free nationwide helpline on 0800 33 20 10 or email us at hepteam@hfnz.nz for all enquiries.

26/07/2025

Could you have hepatitis B? If you can answer ‘Yes’ to any of the below you are more at risk of having contracted hepatitis B:

✔ You are over 35 years of age
✔ You are of Māori, Pacific or Asian ethnicity
✔ Your mother or close family member has hepatitis B
✔ You live with someone who has hepatitis B
✔ You were born outside New Zealand, from a high risk country
✔ Have had unprotected s*x with a person living with hepatitis B
✔ Have ever injected drugs
✔ Have received a tattoo using unsterilised equipment

We can check through a blood test. Let’s get you tested today, you can call 0800 33 20 10 or ask your GP for a blood test.

24/07/2025

Over 94,000 people in New Zealand are living with chronic hepatitis, with many unaware of their status. Hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer.

Here at the Hepatitis Foundation, we drive early detection by encouraging testing and by providing ongoing support through our national free monitoring programme.

If you think you are at risk or have it, give us a call on 0800 33 20 10 to get a free blood test.

24/07/2025

Exciting news for public health in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand (HFNZ) and GSK New Zealand Limited (GSK) have joined forces to eliminate hepatitis B in Aotearoa.

This partnership combines HFNZ's vital, free, lifelong monitoring program for New Zealanders with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and GSK's leading role in hepatitis B prevention through vaccines and treatment research.

Together, we're committed to advancing health outcomes for people with hepatitis B, strengthening New Zealand’s response to the disease, improving health equity for all, and contributing to the global goal of hepatitis B elimination.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a hepatitis B-free New Zealand. Stay tuned for updates on our progress.

Pictured: Brett Marett - Country Medical Director, GSK New Zealand, Rainger, Board Chair, Hepatitis Foundation of NZ, Sarah Davey, CEO, Hepatitis Foundation of NZ, Teresa Chen-Christman - Medical Affairs Manager, HIV and Specialty, GSK NZ, Jasmine Jurd - Specialty Business Head, GSK New Zealand, Professor Edward Gane, Specialist Hepatologist and Board Member, Hepatitis Foundation of NZ

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