US health panel ditches guidance to give hepatitis B vaccine to newborns

Al JazeeraCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete by By News AgenciesDecember 5, 2025 at 09:36 PM

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long article 5 min

In December 2025, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a US government vaccine panel, voted to rescind its recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine. The new guidance advises parents with no history of hepatitis B to consult their healthcare provider about vaccinating their infants, while still recommending it for children of mothers with the virus. Medical experts and pharmaceutical companies have criticized the decision, citing concerns that it could lead to lower vaccination rates and increased hepatitis B infections. The change, considered a major shift under Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr, has sparked controversy, with some experts questioning the ACIP's reliance on evidence regarding vaccine efficacy and safety. Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause chronic liver problems, with over a million deaths linked to it worldwide in 2022.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States ×270% Robert F Kennedy Jr 80% Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ×2100%

Keywords

hepatitis b vaccine 100% vaccine guidance 80% newborns 70% advisory committee on immunization practices 70% vaccination practices 60% vaccine safety 50% vaccine efficacy 50% chronic liver disease 50% post-natal care 40%