Home / Health / CDC Shifts Hepatitis B Vaccine Rule for Newborns
CDC Shifts Hepatitis B Vaccine Rule for Newborns
17 Dec
Summary
- CDC no longer mandates hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours for all newborns.
- Vaccine timing now based on individual risk and parental consent.
- Hepatitis B is an incurable viral infection attacking the liver.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its policy regarding the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, moving away from a mandatory 24-hour-of-birth administration for all infants. Acting director Jim O'Neill has approved ending the universal recommendation, instead advocating for vaccination based on individual risk assessments and parental consent for babies whose parents are not infected with the virus.
The change, which took effect recently, allows flexibility for administering the vaccine at birth or as late as two months of age. This aligns with a prior recommendation from the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). However, O'Neill did not approve a secondary ACIP recommendation for antibody blood tests to determine additional vaccination needs.
Hepatitis B is a serious, incurable viral infection that targets the liver, potentially leading to chronic conditions, liver failure, and cancer. While the vaccine has been a standard part of infant immunization schedules in the US since 1991, this recent adjustment marks a significant shift in approach, prioritizing informed parental decision-making for lower-risk infants.
