CDC Panel Narrows Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendation for Newborns

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended a significant revision to the hepatitis B vaccination guidelines for newborns, suggesting vaccination only for those born to mothers who test positive or whose hepatitis B status is unknown. This recommendation, pending approval by the CDC acting director, marks a departure from over three decades of universal newborn vaccination in the U.S., a practice credited with reducing liver disease substantially. The committee's vote (8-3) revealed a split between members supporting targeted vaccination versus maintaining universal immunization, the latter supported by established medical groups citing the vaccine's safety and efficacy. The ACIP also voted (6-4) to propose antibody testing after each hepatitis B dose to potentially reduce the number of shots from three to fewer, despite CDC concerns about insufficient data supporting reduced dosing schedules. These changes come amid a broader scrutiny of the federal vaccine program under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including adjustments to COVID-19 vaccine access and childhood immunization schedules. Critics of the new hepatitis B recommendation warn it could increase infection risks and undermine longstanding prevention successes by complicating vaccination decisions and introducing uncertainty for healthcare providers and parents. Medical experts emphasize that risk-based vaccination strategies might miss infants exposed through unrecognized pathways, and universal vaccination remains key to public health safety. The insurance community is expected to see continued vaccine coverage without gaps, although shifts in clinical practice and parental acceptance may impact immunization rates. The ACIP also featured controversial presentations questioning vaccine safety and mandates, highlighting ongoing debates within immunization policy. Overall, the hepatitis B guideline revision represents a pivotal moment in U.S. vaccine policy, reflecting increased debate over vaccine risk assessments and influencing future strategies for infectious disease prevention in newborns and children.