The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), newly reconstituted under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted on September 19 to preserve the long-standing U.S. policy of administering the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns within 24 hours of birth.
The decision followed intense debate over a proposal to delay the first dose to at least one month for infants born to mothers testing negative for hepatitis B.
The panel’s choice to table the vote reflects concerns over inconsistent data and the policy’s potential to increase disease risk in newborns.
On September 18, the ACIP voted to discontinue recommending the combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine for children under four, citing a slight increase in seizure risk.
The panel opted for separate doses instead and, in a follow-up vote, removed MMRV coverage from the Vaccines for Children program.
This shift aims to prioritize safety while maintaining protection against these diseases.
The committee also unanimously approved universal hepatitis B testing for pregnant women, reinforcing efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission, which remains a critical concern given that 12% to 16% of U.S. pregnant women lack hepatitis B testing records.
The decision to uphold the hepatitis B birth dose was driven by data showing a 97% decline in acute cases among Americans under 19, largely attributed to the current policy.
Pediatrician Dr. Cody Meissner emphasized the vaccine’s benefits, stating, "For the newborn hepatitis B vaccine, there is no doubt the protective benefits far outweigh any possible risks."
Critics of delaying the dose warned that it could expose infants to infection, particularly in cases where maternal hepatitis B status is unknown, as many infected individuals show no symptoms at the time of transmission.