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2h ago

ACIP Tables Hepatitis B Birth-Dose Change, Keeps Newborn Shot in Place

The move preserves the birth-dose guidance pending further review.

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U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., looks on as he attends to testify before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on President Donald Trump's 2026 health care agenda, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 4, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/ File Photo
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Overview

  • The reconstituted CDC advisory panel voted 11–1 to table a proposal to delay the first hepatitis B shot for infants of mothers who test negative, leaving the within-24-hours recommendation unchanged.
  • Members cited ambiguity in the draft language and questions about evidence and timing, while CDC scientists warned there is no demonstrated benefit to waiting and potential for more infant infections.
  • The committee unanimously recommended universal hepatitis B testing during pregnancy to close documented screening gaps.
  • In a separate vote, ACIP aligned the Vaccines for Children program with its decision against using the combined MMRV vaccine for children under 4, favoring separate MMR and varicella shots.
  • The reshaped panel appointed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. drew process objections from liaison groups, and any reconsideration of the hepatitis B policy remains unscheduled ahead of the Oct. 22–23 ACIP meeting and CDC adoption decisions.