Health Panel's Decision on Hepatitis B Vaccine Sparks Controversy

Sun Dec 07 2025 01:43:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent vote by a U.S. health advisory panel to end the universal recommendation for newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine has ignited debate among medical professionals and lawmakers regarding vaccination policies and public health.

A U.S. panel has voted to discontinue the recommendation for hepatitis B vaccinations for all newborns, advocating for individualized vaccine decisions instead. This controversial move has raised concerns among health experts about potential impacts on public health and vaccination rates. Critics argue that the change could lead to increased hepatitis B infections, especially since many carriers may not know they are infected.

In a significant shift in vaccination policy, a U.S. advisory panel has voted to cease recommending the immediate vaccination of newborns against the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) made a controversial decision, supporting individual-based decision-making for administering the vaccine to infants born to mothers who test negative for hepatitis B.

This resolution, passed by an 8-3 vote, is a departure from over three decades of practice, whereby the hepatitis B vaccination was mandated for all newborns since 1991, correlating with a notable decline in hepatitis B-related fatalities estimated at 90,000 over the years.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism toward vaccines, had previously dismissed the entire ACIP board, appointing new members who share his critical views on vaccinations. Following the panel's vote, President Donald Trump has requested a review of all childhood vaccination recommendations, suggesting that adjustments may occur if other countries' practices yield better outcomes.

The revised guidelines also propose delaying initial doses of the hepatitis B vaccine until at least two months of age, a recommendation some panel members vehemently opposed. Health experts have expressed apprehension that this new policy could further diminish public trust in vaccines, leading to increased health risks, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Despite the uproar, the ACIP retains its recommendation for administering the vaccine to newborns of mothers who test positive for hepatitis B. With hepatitis B known to cause severe liver conditions and chronic infections passed to infants during childbirth, the urgency for vaccination remains critical.

Critics of the decision, including some members of the ACIP, argue that lowering vaccine accessibility could lead to unnecessary infections. Dr. Cody Meissner expressed his opposition, emphasizing the established safety and efficacy of the hepatitis B vaccine and warning that this decision could inadvertently endanger public health.

The ACIP's resolution comes amid rising skepticism about vaccines across the U.S., amplified by political discourse about health policies. As the landscape of childhood vaccinations continues to evolve, public health officials stress the importance of maintaining robust vaccination programs to safeguard community health.