CDC Changes Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendation for Children Despite Opposition from Academy of Pediatrics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has sparked debate by altering its guidance on the initial hepatitis B vaccination for children. The CDCs vaccine advisory committee announced that infants should now receive their first dose at two months old, rather than within the first 24 hours after birth, as previously recommended.

The decision came after an 8-2 vote by the advisory panel. Experts also emphasized that parents should consult healthcare professionals before deciding on the timing of the vaccine, particularly for children born to mothers who tested negative for hepatitis B.

Reactions to the Updated Recommendation

During a recent meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), various opinions were expressed regarding the CDCs new guidance. Some members, including Restef Levi, a mathematician on the panel without medical training, criticized the prior recommendation, claiming that the vaccines had not been adequately tested.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) publicly opposed the change, warning that delaying the first dose could increase childrens risk of infection or long-term illness. Critics also included Dr. Cody Meissner, a pediatrics professor, and committee member Dr. Joseph Hibbeln. Hibbeln argued that the updated guidance lacked scientific justification, while Meissner stated that parents should retain the ability to make their own vaccination decisions. Weve heard do no harm as a moral imperative. We are doing harm by changing this wording, Meissner commented.

Understanding Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can lead to serious liver disease, cancer, or death. Since the U.S. began recommending the vaccine for newborns in 1991, infection rates have dropped by approximately 99%.

Author: Harper Simmons