Vaccine Advisors Abandon Hepatitis B Birth Dose Recommendation Without Evidence

Federal vaccine advisors hand-selected by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have voted to eliminate a recommendation that all babies be vaccinated against hepatitis B on the day of birth. The decision was made with no evidence of harm from that dose and no evidence of any benefit from the delay. Public health experts, medical experts, and even some members of the panel decried the vote, which studies and historical data indicate will lead to more infections in babies that, in turn, will lead to more cases of chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and premature death. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 83-0 today, with one abstention, to withdraw the long-standing universal recommendation, which has been in place since 1991. The recommendation was made after attempts to vaccinate only high-risk infants were found to be ineffective in preventing the spread of the disease. Cody Meissner, a pediatrician and voting member of the ACIP, expressed his concerns about the decision, stating, "I will just say we have heard do no harm is a moral imperative. We are doing harm by changing this recommendation." Public health experts warn that delaying the hepatitis B vaccination will lead to a significant increase in infections among babies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hepatitis B is a major public health concern, with approximately 1.5 million Americans living with chronic hepatitis B infection. The CDC also reports that hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver cancer and liver disease in the United States. The ACIP has attempted to withdraw the recommendation twice before, but it was met with opposition from medical experts and public health officials. This time, however, the vote was unanimous, with some members of the panel expressing concerns about the potential consequences of the decision. "We're not just talking about a theoretical risk; we're talking about real-world consequences," said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the FDA. The decision has sparked widespread criticism from medical experts and public health officials, who argue that the ACIP has ignored the overwhelming evidence in favor of the current recommendation. "This decision is a step backward for public health," said Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician and vaccine expert. "We know that hepatitis B vaccination is safe and effective, and delaying it will only lead to more infections and more cases of chronic liver disease." The ACIP's decision will now be sent to the CDC for review and approval. If approved, the recommendation will be withdrawn, and the hepatitis B vaccination will no longer be required for all babies on the day of birth. Public health experts and medical experts are urging the CDC to reject the recommendation and maintain the current policy.