US panel votes to end recommending hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns

A US panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Acip), voted to end the recommendation for universal hepatitis B vaccination of newborns, instead favoring individual decisions based on the mother's HBV status. This reverses a policy in place since 1991, credited with preventing an estimated 90,000 deaths. The decision follows the replacement of Acip members with vaccine-critical individuals and concerns from public health experts about potential increases in HBV infections. President Trump ordered a review of all childhood vaccination recommendations, citing potentially superior practices in other developed countries. The panel still recommends the vaccine for babies born to HBV-positive mothers, and insurance coverage is not expected to change.

Explore how the topics in this article connect to other news stories