Numerous programs within the Division of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC) and Office of AIDS (OA) of the Center for Infectious Diseases address viral hepatitis. The Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention (a program of the DCDC Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Control Branch) coordinates these efforts and works to support the integration of viral hepatitis preventive services into settings serving persons at risk. Below is an overview of the CDPH programs that address viral hepatitis in California. The work of the Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention is guided by the California Viral Hepatitis Prevention Strategic Plan 2016-2020 (PDF). OVHP also draws on the Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan, 2021-2025.

Disease Investigation

The DCDC Immunization Branch provides technical assistance and resources to support local health departments in conducting acute hepatitis B case investigations.

The DCDC STD Control Branch provides technical assistance and resources to support local health departments in conducting acute hepatitis C case investigations.

The CDPH Center for Healthcare Quality Healthcare Associated Infections Program supports local health departments in investigating healthcare-associated viral hepatitis infections and promotes infection control in healthcare settings.

The DCDC Infectious Diseases Branch conducts investigation, surveillance, prevention, and control of communicable diseases, including foodborne and waterborne illnesses, including hepatitis A.

Health Education

The web sites of the Office of AIDS, DCDC Immunization Branch, and DCDC STD Control Branch provide viral hepatitis-related health education materials. The Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention program page also provides health information resources.

Hepatitis C Counseling & Testing

The Office of AIDS supports local health departments and HIV prevention programs in providing HIV and hepatitis C testing, prevention and referral services. For information about these services see Office of AIDS HIV and HCV Testing Resources. The STD Control Branch also supports local health departments in providing hepatitis C surveillance, testing, and linkages to care. For information on where to get a hepatitis B or hepatitis C test near you, visit Get Tested.

Immunization

The DCDC Immunization Branch coordinates the California Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which provides vaccine at no cost to providers who serve eligible children from birth through 18 years of age.
The DCDC Immunization Branch also coordinates the California Vaccine for Adults (VFA) program.

Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention

The DCDC Immunization Branch Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program provides resources and technical support to local health departments for the surveillance and prevention of hepatitis B among people who are pregnant and infants born to people living with hepatitis B infection.

Perinatal Hepatitis C Prevention

The DCDC STD Control Branch provides resources and technical support to local health departments for the surveillance and monitoring of hepatitis C among infants born to people living with hepatitis C infection, including through the Perinatal Hepatitis C Public Health Investigation Protocol.

Partnerships

The DCDC STD Control Branch Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention monitors national, state, and local viral hepatitis policies and programs, and partners with local viral hepatitis elimination campaigns and programs to facilitate collaboration, identify promising practices, and share lessons learned from other programs.

Service Referrals

Viral hepatitis service referrals are also available at Get Tested.

Syringe Access

California law supports public health efforts to expand access to sterile syringes through both syringe exchange programs (SEPs) and nonprescription syringe sale in pharmacies. The Office of AIDS provides information and resources regarding Needle Exchange and Syringe Access, including through for local health departments, pharmacists, consumers, SEPs, health care providers, and law enforcement.

Surveillance

The DCDC Immunization Branch monitors cases of acute hepatitis B to identify missed opportunities for vaccination, provide post-exposure prophylaxis, identify possible healthcare-associated infections, estimate the disease burden in the population, and provide statistical reports on disease trends.

The DCDC Immunization Branch also monitors cases of chronic hepatitis B, maintains the chronic hepatitis B disease registry, and develops guidance for labs and providers on reporting chronic hepatitis B, including through California Reportable Diseases Information Exchange (CalREDIE).

The DCDC STD Control Branch Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention monitors acute hepatitis C cases to identify possible health-care associated viral hepatitis outbreaks, which are investigated in collaboration with the DCDC Immunization Branch and the Center for Healthcare Quality Healthcare Associated Infections Program.

The DCDC STD Control Branch Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention also monitors cases of chronic hepatitis C and perinatal hepatitis C, maintains the chronic hepatitis C disease registry, develops data reports for the public, and develops guidelines for laboratories and providers on reporting viral hepatitis, including through the California Reportable Diseases Information Exchange (CalREDIE). Information for local health department on monitoring hepatitis C in CalREDIE is available on the STD CalREDIE Resources website.

Training

The Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention provides information to local health departments, health care providers, community-based organizations, and other partners regarding where to obtain training on viral hepatitis. OVHP also collaborates closely with Project Extended Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) to increase the capacity of primary care providers to treat chronic viral hepatitis infection in non-specialty care settings. A list of training resources is available on the OVHP Training web page.

Treatment

The Office of AIDS AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) covers hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis C medication costs for people living with HIV/AIDS who are eligible for the program.

The Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention provides information and technical assistance to other state agencies serving people living with or at risk for viral hepatitis.

Information regarding hepatitis C treatment policies in California’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) is available from the California Department of Health Care Services. Information regarding hepatitis C treatment policies in California state prisons is available from California Correctional Health Care Services.