Implementation of HCV screening in the 1969–1989 birth‐cohort undergoing COVID‐19 vaccination

• DOI: 10.1111/liv.15216
• Publication Date: 2022-02-27T12:18:16Z
• Authors: Roberta D’Ambrosio; Giuliano Rizzardini; Massimo Puoti; Stefano Fagiuoli; Maria Paola Anolli; Claudia Gabiati; Federico D’Amico; Luisa Pasulo; Umberto Restelli; Massimo Colombo; Pietro Lampertico
• Keywords: Hepatitis C

The World Health Organization (WHO) goal of hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination by 2030 relies on the scaling-up both identification and linkage to care infected population, worldwide. In Italy, estimated burden HCV carriers who are unaware their infection amounts 200 000 persons, a projection that reinforces need for broadening population access effective screening programmes.A pivotal programme targeting subjects born between 1969 1989 has been conducted in Lombardy, Northern where point-of-care (POC) testing was offered free concomitantly COVID-19 vaccination.Amongst 7219 underwent through POC, 7 (0.10%) tested anti-HCV positive: 5 (0.07%) had confirmed positivity (Table 1) 4 them (0.05%) were HCV-RNA positive standard confirmation tests.This study demonstrated feasibility POC-based young adults undergoing vaccination. prevalence 1969-1989 cohort Italy seems be lower than previously estimated. Whether extension this before could lead improved effectiveness should matter debate.