CDC Vaccine Advisers Postpone Controversial Vote on Hepatitis B Immunization for Infants

Vaccine advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unexpectedly postponed controversial votes Thursday on changes to the current recommendation of universally immunizing newborns against hepatitis B. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, pushed the votes to Friday due to confusion and disagreement over the language of the votes. The committee meeting was marked by unusual conflict and chaos, with some members expressing frustration over the last-minute changes. "This is the third version of the questions that we have received in 72 hours, and we're trying to evaluate a moving target," said Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, a psychiatrist and voting member of the committee. "I protest the description that the ACIP members have been consulted in developing these questions." The proposed changes to the hepatitis B vaccine recommendation were intended to focus on ending universal vaccination of newborns, a practice that has been in place since 1991. The current recommendation is to vaccinate all newborns against hepatitis B, regardless of their risk factors, as part of the routine vaccination schedule. The hepatitis B virus is a significant public health concern, particularly among newborns and young children. According to the CDC, hepatitis B is a major cause of liver cancer and liver disease worldwide. The virus is transmitted through bodily fluids, such as blood and semen, and can be spread through mother-to-child transmission during birth. Dr. Robert Malone, a vocal critic of the universal vaccination policy, spoke at the meeting, arguing that the current recommendation is unnecessary and may cause harm to some infants. "We need to be careful about how we're vaccinating our children," Malone said. "We need to make sure that we're not causing more harm than good." The ACIP committee members are expected to reconvene on Friday to discuss the proposed changes and vote on the new recommendation. The outcome of the vote will have significant implications for public health policy and the vaccination schedule for newborns. The CDC has not commented on the delay or the proposed changes to the hepatitis B vaccine recommendation. The agency typically follows the recommendations of the ACIP committee, which are based on scientific evidence and expert opinion. The controversy surrounding the hepatitis B vaccine recommendation highlights the ongoing debate about vaccination policies and the need for careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits of vaccination. As the ACIP committee reconvenes on Friday, the public will be watching closely to see how the vote unfolds and what implications it may have for public health policy.