In a move that reverses decades of public health policy, an expert panel convened by U.S. Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has voted to discontinue the recommendation for universal newborn hepatitis B vaccination. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) decision, finalized Friday, limits the vaccine to infants born to mothers with a confirmed hepatitis B diagnosis-a change that has drawn swift condemnation from medical organizations and sparked debate over the influence of vaccine skepticism on federal health recommendations. The shift comes after a significant restructuring of the ACIP under Kennedy’s leadership, raising questions about the objectivity of the panel’s review of the established preventative measure [[2]].
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A panel of experts appointed by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, has voted to discontinue the recommendation for routine hepatitis B vaccination for newborns. This decision marks a significant shift in preventative healthcare policy after more than three decades.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reached the decision on Friday with a vote of eight to three, a move that diverges from the views of many medical professionals. The federal government is now expected to implement the change.
Under the new guidance, the first dose of the three-part hepatitis B vaccine series will only be recommended for infants born to mothers diagnosed with the virus. This represents a move away from universal vaccination at birth, previously intended to prevent mother-to-child transmission even if the mother’s status was unknown.
For infants whose mothers test negative for hepatitis B, the ACIP recommends that parents consult with their physician to determine “whether to vaccinate the baby” and when. The change could impact rates of hepatitis B infection, a potentially serious liver disease that can lead to chronic illness and liver cancer.
Former President Donald Trump praised the measure as “a very good decision” on his Truth Social platform.
Prior to this change, universal vaccination shortly after birth was the standard practice in the United States, effectively eradicating hepatitis B in young people. The decision to alter this approach has sparked immediate criticism from medical associations.
“This irresponsible and deliberately misleading recommendation will lead to more hepatitis B infections in infants and children,” stated Susan J. Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in a released statement.
Three members of the ACIP panel opposed the decision, citing a lack of evidence to support any benefit from the change. “To do no harm is a moral imperative. By modifying this recommendation, we are causing harm,” warned Dr. Cody Meissner before the vote. He was among the dissenting voices on the committee, which underwent a complete overhaul under Kennedy’s leadership.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver that can be transmitted through sexual contact and blood exposure, placing those infected at high risk of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer. Effective vaccination has long been a cornerstone of preventing the spread of this disease.
The ACIP, under Kennedy’s direction, now comprises individuals who have faced criticism from the scientific community for lacking relevant experience or promoting vaccine skepticism. This composition has raised concerns about the objectivity of the committee’s recommendations.
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