Health
CDC Panel Updates Hepatitis B Vaccine Advice
Health Points
- CDC’s advisory panel now advises that hepatitis B vaccination for newborns can be delayed for babies whose mothers test negative for the infection.
- Some health experts and organizations strongly oppose this change, raising concerns about increased health risks for unprotected infants.
- The hepatitis B vaccine continues to be recommended at birth if the mother’s infection status is positive or unknown.
The CDC’s vaccine advisory panel recently adjusted a long-standing recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination in newborns, allowing parents of babies born to mothers who test negative to consult providers on timing.
This decision followed spirited debate and has drawn sharp criticism from some leading pediatricians and health organizations, who warn it may leave infants vulnerable.
“We are doing harm by changing this wording and I vote ‘no,’” said Dr. Cody Meissner, the only ACIP member with prior committee experience.
Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill will determine whether this new guidance becomes official policy.
Senator Bill Cassidy voiced his opposition, arguing, “Ending the recommendation for newborns makes it more likely the number of cases will begin to increase again. This makes America sicker.”
Dr. Susan Kressly of the American Academy of Pediatrics urged, “I urge parents to talk to their pediatrician and get the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, regardless of the mother’s status.”
The panel’s modification did not affect recommendations for vaccinating newborns whose mothers are hepatitis B positive or have unknown infection status, as these infants remain at risk for transmission at birth.
Some dissenting panel members and public health experts noted a lack of evidence supporting the delay, emphasizing decades of safe administration of the vaccine to newborns.
“We must use only the credible data to make the decisions, and not speculations and not hypotheses,” stated ACIP member Dr. Joseph Hibbeln.
Liaison group leaders, including Dr. Jason Goldman, president of the American College of Physicians, also expressed concern that the new guidance could create more confusion without solving real problems.
Dr. Amy Middleman of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine pointed out a surge in misinformation during the panel’s discussion process.
The hepatitis B vaccine is still a three-dose series, typically starting within 24 hours of birth, with subsequent doses at 1-2 months and 6-18 months of age.
Health leaders warn that confusion around the updated recommendations could make implementation difficult for clinicians and families.
“The more confusing we make these recommendations, the harder this is going to be for clinicians to implement,” noted Chari Cohen, president of the Hepatitis B Foundation.
