New Hepatitis B Vaccine Timing Sparks Confusion Among Parents and Medical Experts.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently approved a change to the recommended timing of the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, which has left many parents and medical experts scratching their heads. The new recommendation suggests administering the first dose 30 days after birth, rather than within the first 24 hours of life.
Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of California, Davis, expressed his concerns over the decision, stating that "we can't trust them anymore" since the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) has been gutted of vaccine experts and replaced with individuals with little to no knowledge or experience in vaccine science. He also warned that this change could lead to more infants being infected with hepatitis B, more chronically infected children, and even more deaths.
The hepatitis B vaccine has been a crucial tool in preventing the spread of the virus, which can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death. According to the CDC, there are approximately 640,000 adults living with chronic infection, yet many do not know they have it or are contagious.
Many medical experts, including pediatricians like Dr. Lisa Costello and Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, Michelle Taylor, agree that this change will only lead to confusion among parents and a higher risk of infant infections. They emphasize that vaccines are safe and have been proven to be effective in preventing hepatitis B.
While private insurance plans have stated they will continue to cover the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccines for now, some worry about the potential long-term effects of this decision on public health. Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, noted that the recommendation creates confusion among parents and may lead them to question their vaccination decisions.
As concerns grow over this decision, it's essential to rely on credible sources and scientific evidence to make informed decisions about vaccines. The hepatitis B vaccine has been extensively studied, and its benefits far outweigh any perceived risks. It is crucial for parents and medical professionals alike to remain vigilant and advocate for the importance of vaccine administration in preventing the spread of infectious diseases like hepatitis B.
The delay in recommending the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine highlights a concerning trend where prominent voices are spreading misinformation about vaccines. As Dr. Dean Blumberg aptly put it, "this type of confusion ends up changing the way people behave."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently approved a change to the recommended timing of the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, which has left many parents and medical experts scratching their heads. The new recommendation suggests administering the first dose 30 days after birth, rather than within the first 24 hours of life.
Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of California, Davis, expressed his concerns over the decision, stating that "we can't trust them anymore" since the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) has been gutted of vaccine experts and replaced with individuals with little to no knowledge or experience in vaccine science. He also warned that this change could lead to more infants being infected with hepatitis B, more chronically infected children, and even more deaths.
The hepatitis B vaccine has been a crucial tool in preventing the spread of the virus, which can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death. According to the CDC, there are approximately 640,000 adults living with chronic infection, yet many do not know they have it or are contagious.
Many medical experts, including pediatricians like Dr. Lisa Costello and Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, Michelle Taylor, agree that this change will only lead to confusion among parents and a higher risk of infant infections. They emphasize that vaccines are safe and have been proven to be effective in preventing hepatitis B.
While private insurance plans have stated they will continue to cover the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccines for now, some worry about the potential long-term effects of this decision on public health. Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, noted that the recommendation creates confusion among parents and may lead them to question their vaccination decisions.
As concerns grow over this decision, it's essential to rely on credible sources and scientific evidence to make informed decisions about vaccines. The hepatitis B vaccine has been extensively studied, and its benefits far outweigh any perceived risks. It is crucial for parents and medical professionals alike to remain vigilant and advocate for the importance of vaccine administration in preventing the spread of infectious diseases like hepatitis B.
The delay in recommending the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine highlights a concerning trend where prominent voices are spreading misinformation about vaccines. As Dr. Dean Blumberg aptly put it, "this type of confusion ends up changing the way people behave."
30 days after birth? who knew lol 24hrs wasnt even enough time for the needle to get stuck or something 
but seriously this is a huge mistake. ppl are gonna think its not worth it and then we got more cases of hepatitis B. i mean come on, its been proven effective and safe. dont mess with the science 
this isnt rocket science (or at least not that hard to understand). just stick to what works and keep giving those vaccines 
... i mean, what's the reasoning behind it? it seems like they're giving parents more time to worry about their little ones getting infected 
... i've seen so many parents freak out when they find out their baby has hepatitis B, it's already stressful enough without being told to wait 30 days before getting vaccinated 
... and what's with the comment from Dr. Blumberg? seems like a pretty clear case of misinformation spreading 
... should be more emphasis on science over sensationalism 
. According to a CDC study published last year, 75% of healthcare providers reported feeling uncertain about vaccine recommendations 
.
Birth 0-1 month: 14%
!
how can u trust them if they cant even make a simple decision about vaccines?!?
i just told her to chill out and that its still safe and stuff 
but honestly im not sure 
i don't know about you guys but i'm gonna keep vaccinating my kiddo till the cows come home 
my aunt just had a kid and she was all worried about getting them vaccinated at birth, now she's freaking out because they're changing the schedule 
what's going on here is a perfect example of how misinformation can spread like wildfire 
and before we know it, we'll have another outbreak because some dude decided to trust 'their feelings' over actual medical evidence 
.