Federal vaccine advisors handpicked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr have made a move that has left public health experts and medical professionals reeling. The advisory committee on immunization practices, or ACIP, voted to scrap the universal recommendation for the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, citing no evidence of harm from a single dose.
The decision was met with widespread criticism, as studies and historical data suggest it will lead to more infections in babies and ultimately, an increased risk of chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and premature death. Cody Meissner, a pediatrician and member of the ACIP panel, expressed his opposition to the change, stating that "we have heard 'do no harm' is a moral imperative. We are doing harm by changing this [recommendation]."
The move comes after years of attempts to modify or eliminate the universal recommendation for the birth dose, which has been in place since 1991. The original recommendation was made following a 37 percent increase in infected infants between 1979 and 1989. Since its implementation, infections have largely disappeared.
However, there is no evidence to support delaying the vaccine until the first month of life or even beyond that. In fact, experts have warned that this could open a window for babies to be infected with hepatitis B by mothers who had false-negative test results or others they come into contact with in the early months of life.
The altered recommendation now suggests that parents and healthcare providers should use "individual-based decision making" when it comes to administering the vaccine. If they decide to delay, the panel recommends giving the first dose "no earlier than 2 months of age."
Critics argue that this opens up a Pandora's box for confusion among parents and increases the risk of hepatitis B infection in vulnerable populations. Medical experts have denounced the vote as "reckless" and an "undermining" of decades of public trust in a proven lifesaving vaccine.
The decision is being met with frustration from many quarters, including medical professionals who point out that there is no data to support this new recommendation. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, a board member of the American Medical Association, stated that today's action "is not based on scientific evidence and disregards decades of public confidence in a proven, lifesaving vaccine."
The decision was met with widespread criticism, as studies and historical data suggest it will lead to more infections in babies and ultimately, an increased risk of chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and premature death. Cody Meissner, a pediatrician and member of the ACIP panel, expressed his opposition to the change, stating that "we have heard 'do no harm' is a moral imperative. We are doing harm by changing this [recommendation]."
The move comes after years of attempts to modify or eliminate the universal recommendation for the birth dose, which has been in place since 1991. The original recommendation was made following a 37 percent increase in infected infants between 1979 and 1989. Since its implementation, infections have largely disappeared.
However, there is no evidence to support delaying the vaccine until the first month of life or even beyond that. In fact, experts have warned that this could open a window for babies to be infected with hepatitis B by mothers who had false-negative test results or others they come into contact with in the early months of life.
The altered recommendation now suggests that parents and healthcare providers should use "individual-based decision making" when it comes to administering the vaccine. If they decide to delay, the panel recommends giving the first dose "no earlier than 2 months of age."
Critics argue that this opens up a Pandora's box for confusion among parents and increases the risk of hepatitis B infection in vulnerable populations. Medical experts have denounced the vote as "reckless" and an "undermining" of decades of public trust in a proven lifesaving vaccine.
The decision is being met with frustration from many quarters, including medical professionals who point out that there is no data to support this new recommendation. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, a board member of the American Medical Association, stated that today's action "is not based on scientific evidence and disregards decades of public confidence in a proven, lifesaving vaccine."
they're basically saying let babies go out into the world with no protection against hepatitis B... it's like playing Russian roulette. I mean, we've been doing this universal recommendation since 1991 and it's worked wonders. now they want to just start giving it out at 2 months old? what's next, vaccines for adults only on Wednesdays? 
come on guys, get your facts straight before you make a decision that could put lives at risk! 
I'm seriously worried about what's going on here... This decision is like, super reckless 
. If they're saying there's no harm from one dose, that just doesn't add up 
. The fact that it's been in place since '91 and we've seen a major drop in infections is huge 
. And now they're gonna leave it up to individual decision making? That's just gonna lead to more problems 
. I'm all for reevaluating and updating guidelines, but this feels like it was done in a super hasty and uninformed way 
. We need more transparency and data before we make changes that could put lives at risk 
.
it's like they're playing with fire 
by altering a recommendation that's been in place for 30+ years 
I mean, shouldn't we be basing our decisions on actual data and evidence? 
not hypothetical scenarios or emotional appeals 
doesn't that just open up a whole can of worms? 
like, how are parents supposed to make informed decisions when there's no clear consensus on the risks and benefits? 
? The whole thing just feels like a big ol' mess. Like, come on guys, if you're not sure about something, don't just change the rules and expect everyone else to follow suit 
. Parents need clear guidance, not individual decisions that'll lead to confusion 
.
. The thought of babies dying from preventable diseases is just... 
. We need transparency, not cherry-picked data 
.
. Delaying the hepatitis B vaccine at birth is basically asking for trouble 
. And now they're saying it's okay to just wing it with individual-based decision making? No thanks 
. This is exactly the kind of reckless behavior that makes me question the competence of our health advisors 
. Can't we just stick with what works and not try to fix something that ain't broke 
. I mean, we've been doing this universal recommendation for 34 years now, and it's worked like a charm 
. The data on hepatitis B infections has gone from 37% in 1989 to essentially zero since then 
. Now they're just gonna scrap the whole thing because of a single dose? That doesn't make any sense 
. Let's not undermine decades of public trust in a proven lifesaving vaccine 
. Can't they just stick with what works? 
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. 
I don't get it. And what really gets me is that this decision is being made by people who have zero experience with the actual medical community. Like, they're not even listening to the experts who know what they're talking about! It's like they're trying to undermine decades of public trust in a proven lifesaving vaccine. 
. Can we please just stick with the tried-and-true approach here? 
newsflash: a single dose of hepatitis B can still prevent infection from happening in the first place, right?
. The Hep B vaccine has been a game changer for reducing liver cancer & other liver diseases, especially among babies 
. Scrapping the birth dose recommendation is just not justified 
. What's next? Delaying vaccines for toddlers? Or maybe waiting until they're teenagers? 
#HepBvaccineMatters #ProtectOurKids #PublicHealthFirst
. Studies have shown that infections will likely increase and lead to more serious health problems like chronic liver disease and cancer 
It feels like we're taking two steps back here 
. And let's not forget about all the parents who will be confused and worried because of this new recommendation 
.