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.

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.

A CDC advisory panel voted to limit universal hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns in the US, recommending that parents of infants whose mothers test negative for the virus consult with healthcare professionals to decide on vaccination. This reverses the long-standing recommendation for all newborns to receive the vaccine. The advisers stated that hepatitis B vaccines are still recommended for children whose mothers test positive. Experts worry the change will create confusion, access issues, and potentially increase preventable infections, particularly among lower-income families. Some committee members expressed concerns that the change could be interpreted as the vaccine being controversial, creating barriers to care. The new recommendation suggests waiting at least two months if the vaccine is not administered at birth.