Controversy Swirls as U.S. Vaccine Committee Rethinks Hepatitis B Policies
A U.S. vaccine advisory panel, reconstituted under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., postponed a vote on delaying the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns due to policy inconsistencies. Despite some support for the change, experts expressed concerns on infant vulnerability, leading to ongoing discussions.
In a move that underscores ongoing tensions within U.S. vaccination policy, a restructured panel of vaccine advisers appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. opted against a scheduled vote to delay the first hepatitis B vaccine dose for newborns. This decision comes amid policy inconsistencies and expert warnings about infant vulnerability to disease.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which counsels the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recently debated changing the longstanding policy of vaccinating newborns at birth. While the proposal garnered some support, many medical professionals cautioned against leaving infants unprotected. Concerns led to discussions to extend the initial vaccine window to 2-3 months.
In a unanimous vote, the panel recommended universal hepatitis B testing for pregnant women, an issue debated alongside potential modifications to COVID-19 vaccine guidance. Despite division among members, some express insistence on the protective benefits of early hepatitis B vaccination, pointing to a significant reduction in disease rates.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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