Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendation Rolled Back Amid Trump Administration's Vaccine Schedule Review and Anti-Vaccine Adviser Appointments
The US federal vaccine panel eliminated the universal newborn hepatitis B vaccine recommendation, amid President Trump's order to review vaccine schedules and appointment of anti-vaccine advisers.
Overview
The federal vaccine advisory panel and CDC's ACIP recently eliminated the universal recommendation for all newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, marking a significant shift in US public health policy.
This decision coincides with President Trump signing a Presidential Memorandum to evaluate vaccine schedules from other countries, signaling a broader administration review of US vaccine policies.
Concerns are rising as several vaccine advisers chosen by President Trump's health secretary are longtime anti-vaccine activists, potentially influencing the direction of the US childhood vaccine schedule.
The previous universal hepatitis B vaccine policy, in place since 1991, successfully reduced newborn infection rates by 99%, from 20,000 to under 20 cases annually, preventing lifelong liver complications.
Medical experts criticize this rollback, warning it could undermine public confidence in vaccines and potentially lead to an increase in childhood hepatitis B infections, reversing decades of public health progress.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the CDC panel's decision as a dangerous rollback of established public health policy, driven by political influence rather than scientific evidence. They emphasize widespread expert opposition, the vaccine's proven safety and effectiveness, and the potential for increased infections, portraying the change as a threat to children's health.
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Center (16)
FAQ
The panel revisited the recommendation in light of public dissatisfaction with vaccination policies and concerns about vaccine safety and side effects, leading to a vote to eliminate the universal birth dose recommendation in favor of vaccinating only infants born to hepatitis B positive mothers.
Since 1991, the universal hepatitis B vaccine policy has reduced newborn infections by 99%, lowering cases from about 20,000 annually to fewer than 20, thereby preventing lifelong liver complications such as cancer.
Several vaccine advisers appointed by President Trump’s health secretary are longtime anti-vaccine activists, raising concerns about potential shifts in the US childhood vaccine schedule and policy.
The advisory committee suggests restricting the birth dose to infants born to hepatitis B positive mothers and recommends serologic testing after one dose to determine if additional vaccine doses are needed.
Medical experts warn that this rollback could undermine public confidence in vaccines, increase childhood hepatitis B infections, and reverse decades of public health progress achieved by the universal vaccination policy.
History
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