CDC Advisory Panel Changes Hepatitis B Newborn Vaccination Policy Despite Medical Concerns

Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, an American Medical Association trustee, voiced strong criticism Friday over the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The committee voted 8-3 to no longer universally recommend birth-dose vaccination against hepatitis B virus in U.S. newborns.

The change replaces the previous recommendation that all infants should receive the vaccine at birth, altering it so now the shot is only recommended if mothers test positive for hepatitis B.

Fryhofer described this move as “reckless,” claiming it disregards evidence backing the lifesaving vaccine and creates confusion among parents about protecting their children from perinatal transmission of Hepatitis B. She warned that failing to administer birth-dose vaccination can lead to serious consequences, including chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

According to some committee members involved in making this decision, most American infants carry a low risk for hepatitis B infection. They argued that studies indicating potential harms were small or insufficient to detect long-term risks associated with the vaccine.

If no maternal transmission is detected after birth, parents are now advised to consult physicians about whether their baby needs early vaccination before proceeding. If not given at birth, experts suggest waiting until children reach two months old.

The final decision rests with Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill who will determine if ACIP’s recommendation gets implemented as official policy. This potential shift marks a significant change from current guidelines and follows President Donald Trump’s earlier statement supporting the move.
Title: CDC Advisory Panel Alters Hepatitis B Newborn Vaccination Stance Despite Criticism

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recently made a controversial decision regarding newborn vaccination against hepatitis B. Previously, the committee had recommended that all U.S.-born infants receive the first dose of the vaccine immediately after birth to prevent perinatal transmission.

However, in an 8-3 vote, ACIP is now recommending administration at birth only when mothers test positive for the virus. Dr. Sandra Fryhofer with American Medical Association said she called this decision “reckless.” She noted that it ignores scientific evidence supporting birth-dose vaccination and undermines decades of established public health practice.

The AMA’s representative stressed the importance of early immunization to protect children from contracting hepatitis B, which can lead to chronic liver disease or even death if not addressed in infancy. According to her statement: “Administering the birth dose is crucial for protecting children against both perinatal and early postnatal transmission—preventing a lifelong condition that can cause serious health issues.”

Committee members cited low infection rates among infants as their main rationale, suggesting that most newborns do not face significant risk. They also argued that studies examining possible vaccine side effects were limited or lacked sufficient evidence regarding long-term risks.

The new guidance states that if the mother does not test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), parents should consult healthcare providers to decide on vaccination timing, with a recommendation to wait until the child is at least two months old unless otherwise advised by their physician.