Federal Vaccine Panel Rejects Universal Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccination Recommendation Amid Anti-Vaccine Tensions
A federal advisory committee has voted to end the longstanding recommendation that all U.S. babies receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, sparking widespread criticism from medical and public health leaders.
The move has raised concerns about a potential patchwork of vaccination recommendations across the country, with some states and health organizations continuing to recommend the vaccine for newborns. The Illinois Department of Public Health, among others, has issued statements reaffirming its support for universal newborn vaccination.
According to experts, hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that can have long-lasting consequences if left untreated. However, cases in children have plummeted since the introduction of the vaccine, and studies have consistently shown it to be safe and effective in newborns.
Critics of the new recommendation point out that there is no new scientific evidence to support the change, and that the shift away from universal newborn vaccination could lead to increased rates of infection. The decision has been described as "unconscionable" by some, with one committee member stating that it is "making America sicker".
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has also reaffirmed its support for the vaccine, with its president saying that there is no new information about the hepatitis B vaccine that would warrant a change in recommendation. The AAP advises parents to consult with their pediatrician about the benefits and risks of vaccination.
As the situation continues to unfold, health experts are warning that the decision could have far-reaching consequences for public health. With the CDC acting director set to make the final decision on whether to accept the new recommendation, many are holding out hope that the agency will continue to prioritize evidence-based medicine over politics-driven decisions.
A federal advisory committee has voted to end the longstanding recommendation that all U.S. babies receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, sparking widespread criticism from medical and public health leaders.
The move has raised concerns about a potential patchwork of vaccination recommendations across the country, with some states and health organizations continuing to recommend the vaccine for newborns. The Illinois Department of Public Health, among others, has issued statements reaffirming its support for universal newborn vaccination.
According to experts, hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that can have long-lasting consequences if left untreated. However, cases in children have plummeted since the introduction of the vaccine, and studies have consistently shown it to be safe and effective in newborns.
Critics of the new recommendation point out that there is no new scientific evidence to support the change, and that the shift away from universal newborn vaccination could lead to increased rates of infection. The decision has been described as "unconscionable" by some, with one committee member stating that it is "making America sicker".
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has also reaffirmed its support for the vaccine, with its president saying that there is no new information about the hepatitis B vaccine that would warrant a change in recommendation. The AAP advises parents to consult with their pediatrician about the benefits and risks of vaccination.
As the situation continues to unfold, health experts are warning that the decision could have far-reaching consequences for public health. With the CDC acting director set to make the final decision on whether to accept the new recommendation, many are holding out hope that the agency will continue to prioritize evidence-based medicine over politics-driven decisions.
what's going on with vaccination policies in the US? i thought we were making progress on this topic 
i mean, hepatitis B is a serious disease that can cause long-term damage if left untreated, but apparently there's some debate about whether to vaccinate all newborns 
it's weird that there's no new scientific evidence to support changing the recommendation, right? and what's with all these conflicting statements from different health organizations? 
i feel like we're just being told what's safe without being given any real context or options to make informed decisions for ourselves 
so now we're just gonna let a super effective vaccine for hepatitis B go up in smoke because some ppl are, you know, concerned? 
it's not even like there was a new study that came out last week saying, "hey, let's go back to universal newborn vaccination!" because nope, the science just kinda... stopped working. 
. I mean, come on, we've known for ages that hepatitis B vaccine is super safe and effective for newborns 
. And now they're just gonna let cases start climbing up again? 
I know some people are anti-vax, but this is getting ridiculous 
. Can't we just stick with what works and prove that's safe? 
?! Like, I know some people swear by meditation and journaling, but honestly, have you tried just taking a 10-minute break from your screen to watch the clouds roll by outside 
? Mind. Blown.
I know some people are anti-vax and all, but come on... this is science we're talking about! 
"The greatest risk is not taking any risk." - Mark Zuckerberg 
. The key is to weigh the evidence and make informed decisions based on scientific consensus 
.