Vaccine Advisory Committee Puts Off Decision on Newborn Hepatitis B Shots Amid Controversy
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, led by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has delayed a decision on whether newborns should receive the hepatitis B vaccine on their first day of life, citing concerns about voting language and limited safety studies.
For decades, the government has advised that all babies be vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth, a strategy widely regarded as a public health success in preventing thousands of illnesses. However, Kennedy's committee is now considering whether to recommend the birth dose only for babies whose mothers test positive for the virus, which would mark a return to a strategy abandoned over three decades ago.
The move has sparked controversy among medical groups and experts, who argue that the delay could lead to increased cases of chronic hepatitis B infections in infants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90% of infants who contract hepatitis B go on to develop chronic infections.
The committee's decision is also seen as a departure from established guidelines, which advise a dose within 24 hours of birth for all medically stable infants weighing at least 4.4 pounds. The new language, which would be voted on Friday, suggests that vaccination series should begin when the child is 2 months old if parents decide not to get a birth dose.
Kennedy's leadership of the committee has been criticized by medical groups, who argue that his anti-vaccine stance and appointment of several anti-vaccine voices to the panel have compromised the agency's credibility. The committee has made several decisions in recent months that have angered major medical groups, including recommending the removal of a preservative from flu vaccines and restricting a combination shot that protects against multiple diseases.
The delay in making a decision on hepatitis B shots comes as the US is experiencing a surge in vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles and COVID-19. Experts warn that the move could embolden anti-vaccine groups and undermine public health efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
"It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion," said Dr. Jason M. Goldman, president of the American College of Physicians. "You know it's going to end badly, but you can't look away."
The delay in making a decision on hepatitis B shots is expected to be made public after Friday's meeting, and will likely face opposition from medical groups and experts who are concerned about the potential consequences for public health.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, led by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has delayed a decision on whether newborns should receive the hepatitis B vaccine on their first day of life, citing concerns about voting language and limited safety studies.
For decades, the government has advised that all babies be vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth, a strategy widely regarded as a public health success in preventing thousands of illnesses. However, Kennedy's committee is now considering whether to recommend the birth dose only for babies whose mothers test positive for the virus, which would mark a return to a strategy abandoned over three decades ago.
The move has sparked controversy among medical groups and experts, who argue that the delay could lead to increased cases of chronic hepatitis B infections in infants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90% of infants who contract hepatitis B go on to develop chronic infections.
The committee's decision is also seen as a departure from established guidelines, which advise a dose within 24 hours of birth for all medically stable infants weighing at least 4.4 pounds. The new language, which would be voted on Friday, suggests that vaccination series should begin when the child is 2 months old if parents decide not to get a birth dose.
Kennedy's leadership of the committee has been criticized by medical groups, who argue that his anti-vaccine stance and appointment of several anti-vaccine voices to the panel have compromised the agency's credibility. The committee has made several decisions in recent months that have angered major medical groups, including recommending the removal of a preservative from flu vaccines and restricting a combination shot that protects against multiple diseases.
The delay in making a decision on hepatitis B shots comes as the US is experiencing a surge in vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles and COVID-19. Experts warn that the move could embolden anti-vaccine groups and undermine public health efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
"It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion," said Dr. Jason M. Goldman, president of the American College of Physicians. "You know it's going to end badly, but you can't look away."
The delay in making a decision on hepatitis B shots is expected to be made public after Friday's meeting, and will likely face opposition from medical groups and experts who are concerned about the potential consequences for public health.
so theres this vaccine advisory committee thingy led by robert f kennedy jr and theyre delaying the decision on whether or not to vaccinate newborns with hepatitis b its like super crazy because everyone thinks its a good idea to give them the shot right after birth but now theyre like maybe not yeah idk what the deal is i got my kid vaccinated at birth and she never had any issues 
the thing that bugs me is that medical groups are mad cuz robert kennedy jr is like super anti-vaccine and he appointed some people on the committee who feel the same way its like why do they get to decide on something so important? 
i heard if they dont vaccinate newborns with hepatitis b then 90% of them might develop chronic infections 
and that sounds super scary
it's like, we're already dealing with a surge in vaccine-preventable diseases and now we're putting public health at risk by not having clear guidelines for hepatitis B shots. I mean, come on, 90% of infants who contract hepatitis B go on to develop chronic infections... what are they even thinking?! 
... just think about all those babies who could be protected from chronic hepatitis B infections now gonna be left vulnerable 
. I mean, what if these new guidelines lead to more people not getting vaccinated in the first place? It's like a never-ending nightmare 
...
We need some leadership here and some clear guidance for parents and healthcare providers. This whole thing just feels so... uncertain. 
shouldn't there be more transparency and open discussion on this? And what about all the experts who are saying that Kennedy's anti-vaccine stance is compromising the agency's credibility? 
. Let's hope that some sense will prevail after this meeting and they make a decision that prioritizes our kids' health 
I'm scared for the future of public health in this country... 
It just seems like the anti-vax crowd is getting under everyone's skin again. And what's up with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s involvement - isn't he like a vaccine skeptic or something? 
... like what's next? Letting measles run wild because some folks think it's not safe 
... Newsflash: hepatitis B is a major issue for newborns, especially if their mom is infected. Delaying the vaccine doesn't magically make those numbers disappear 
it makes me wonder if were putting too much emphasis on science and not enough on common sense... i mean, come on, 90% of kids who get hepatitis B go on to develop chronic infections, what's the point of even debating this?
It's not rocket science, folks! We know what works and what doesn't. Let's stop messing around and get back to protecting our kids' health! 
IT'S LIKE, WE KNOW THE BENEFITS OF THIS VACCINE AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR SOMETHING BAD TO HAPPEN?!?! 
HE'S KNOWN FOR HIS ANTI-VAX XPOSED VIEWS AND NOW HE'S SITTING ON A COMMITTEE THAT'S DECIDING PUBLIC HEALTH POLICIES?!?! 
The move by Kennedy's committee to delay a decision on newborn hepatitis B shots is making many experts go "when did they start doing that?" 
