Expressing support for the designation of April 30, 2025, as "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day".

Bill Number

H.Res. 362

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-04-07T19:57:11Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 362) expresses support for designating April 30, 2025, as "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day." It aims to raise awareness about the risks of hepatitis B, the importance of vaccination for adults, and efforts to prevent infections, particularly amid rising cases linked to factors like drug use.

Key Provisions

• Background on Hepatitis B: The resolution outlines facts about the disease, including that up to 2.4 million people in the U.S. have chronic hepatitis B (a liver infection spread through blood and body fluids, such as from mother-to-child transmission or injection drug use), with many unaware of their status. It highlights disparities in affected groups (e.g., communities of color, sexual and gender minorities, people impacted by the opioid crisis) and higher risks for those with conditions like diabetes, HIV, or liver disease.
• Health Impacts: Emphasizes no cure exists, requiring lifelong care; it's a leading cause of liver cancer (with low survival rates); and unmanaged cases can lead to cirrhosis or liver failure.
• Vaccination Details: Notes safe, effective vaccines (95% effective, the first "anticancer vaccine") have prevented millions of cases globally; childhood vaccination is routine since the 1990s, but only 30% of U.S. adults are vaccinated; recommendations target adults 19-59 and older adults with risk factors.
• Rising Cases: Cites an 11% national increase in acute cases from 2014-2018, with sharp regional spikes (e.g., 489% in Maine from 2015-2016) often tied to injection drug use (36% of new cases); hepatitis B is highly infectious compared to HIV or hepatitis C.
• Call to Action: Supports the awareness day and encourages:
• Testing all adults 18+ at least once.
• Vaccinating susceptible individuals.
• Linking diagnosed people to care.
• Boosting adult and maintaining childhood vaccination rates.
• Raising awareness among providers and communities to reduce infections, liver cancer, and deaths.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or regulations. It builds on current public health guidelines from agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without altering them.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Could increase public awareness, leading to more testing, vaccination, and care-seeking, especially among at-risk adults, potentially reducing hepatitis B infections and related diseases like liver cancer.
• On Government Agencies: May encourage federal and state health agencies (e.g., CDC) to promote vaccination campaigns, though without mandating new funding or programs; could influence future policy or resource allocation for public health.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but it aligns with global efforts to combat hepatitis B (e.g., noting worldwide prevention successes), potentially supporting U.S. leadership in international health initiatives.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• At-Risk Populations: Adults in communities of color (e.g., Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, African immigrants), sexual and gender minorities, people who inject drugs, and those with chronic conditions (e.g., HIV, diabetes).
• Healthcare Providers and Communities: Doctors, clinics, and public health organizations tasked with testing, vaccinating, and educating.
• General Public: All U.S. adults, particularly those unvaccinated, to encourage preventive health actions.
• Government and Advocacy Groups: Congress members, health departments, and nonprofits focused on infectious diseases and vaccination.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal/Constitutional: None significant, as this is a symbolic resolution without enforceable requirements or funding; it respects individual health choices without infringing on rights.
• Political: Demonstrates bipartisan congressional support for public health awareness, potentially building momentum for related legislation on vaccination access or opioid crisis responses; highlights equity issues in health disparities without partisan framing.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-04-30: Submitted in House
• 2025-04-30: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Expressing support for the designation of April 30, 2025, as "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day". — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (4 pages)