The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially revised its approach to hepatitis B vaccination for infants, introducing a model of “individual-based decision-making.” This change allows parents to decide whether to vaccinate their newborns, marking a significant shift in the official childhood vaccination schedule.
In contrast, the New Mexico Department of Health has strongly encouraged vaccination against hepatitis B for newborns. As of December 8, 2023, the state agency recommends that the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine be administered within 24 hours of birth. The department reassured parents that the vaccine will remain accessible through the federal Vaccines for Children program, Medicaid, and private insurance plans.
The CDC’s decision follows a vote by its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to discontinue the longstanding recommendation that all infants receive a dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. This committee comprises members appointed by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been a vocal critic of vaccines.
Jim O’Neill, Acting Director of the CDC and Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, stated in a news release, “This recommendation reflects ACIP’s rigorous review of the available evidence. We are restoring the balance of informed consent to parents whose newborns face little risk of contracting hepatitis B.”
Despite the CDC’s new recommendations, many health officials have expressed concern over the shift toward individual decision-making. Dr. Susan Kressly, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, emphasized that there is no new evidence prompting this change, nor has the risk of infants contracting hepatitis B altered significantly.
Hepatitis B is a highly infectious liver disease that can be transmitted through contact with infected blood and bodily fluids. Such transmission can occur during labor, childbirth, and when caring for an infant. According to CDC data, approximately half of the individuals infected with hepatitis B are unaware of their condition.
Under the CDC’s revised guidelines, parents can now choose whether to vaccinate their children against hepatitis B, including the birth dose for infants born to mothers who tested negative for the virus. For those infants who do not receive the birth dose, the CDC recommends administering the initial dose no earlier than two months of age.
As the debate continues, the differing approaches between the CDC and state health officials highlight the complexity of vaccination policies and the ongoing discussions surrounding parental choice and public health.
