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57m ago

CDC Advisers Vote to End Universal Hepatitis B Birth Dose, Shift to Case-by-Case Decisions

The change awaits the CDC acting director’s approval, with leading medical groups and several states vowing to keep recommending the shot at birth.

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Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by an extremely infectious virus.
The recommendations of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices now go to the agency's acting director for approval.
Attorney Aaron Siri presents during a meeting of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Dec. 5, 2025, in Atlanta.

Overview

  • ACIP voted 8–3 to replace the long-standing recommendation for a hepatitis B shot within 24 hours of birth with shared decision-making for infants of mothers who test negative, while keeping the birth dose for babies of mothers who are positive or untested.
  • The recommendation is not yet policy and requires signoff from Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill before federal guidance changes.
  • The reconstituted panel was appointed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., drawing scrutiny over the committee’s direction and process.
  • President Donald Trump praised the vote and signed a memorandum directing HHS to fast-track a comprehensive review of the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts warned the shift could raise infections, citing modeling that estimates about 99,000 preventable cases if the birth dose is delayed, and several states signaled they will continue to advise the shot at birth.