CDC Vax Panel Votes 8-3 to Delay HepB Vaccine for Newborn Children

[Webster]

(The Guardian) Vaccine panel votes to restrict hepatitis B vaccines shot for newborns in major shift
The CDC’s vaccine advisers have voted 8-3 to remove the broad recommendation that all newborns in the US receive a hepatitis B vaccine, in a major move signaling the Trump administration’s regressive approach to vaccines that have been given safely and effectively for decades.

The committee voted to recommend that parents of infants whose mothers test negative for hepatitis should decide when – or if – their child should receive the vaccine series, after consulting a healthcare professional.

The move will add confusion to routine vaccinations and create access issues, especially for lower-income families, experts said. While the advisers make non-binding recommendations, they frequently form the basis of official policy, and they directly affect the way private and federal insurance providers cover the vaccines. “This is going to lead to an increase in preventable infections among children,” said Michaela Jackson, program director of prevention policy at the Hepatitis B Foundation. The vote is “removing choice by causing barriers to access” and “parents are not going to know who to trust any longer,” she said.

Hepatitis B vaccines are still recommended to children whose mothers test positive for the virus, the advisers said. The shots for most infants at birth will now be “shared clinical decision-making”, the advisers deciding, voting 8-3, although this is a term that is poorly defined and usually reserved for non-routine vaccines.

If a parent is not able to get their child the vaccine at birth, the advisers now suggest waiting at least two months.

CDC advisory panel votes to limit hepatitis B vaccines for newborns

Move from CDC advisers mirrors Trump team’s regressive approach to longstanding vaccine guidance

www.theguardian.com

 

[gwolf666]

Hello, I understand the concerns about this decision, as childhood vaccination is a key tool for preventing serious diseases like hepatitis B. Recommending that parents decide when or whether to vaccinate their children, especially in cases where the mother tests negative, can create confusion and uncertainty, particularly in communities with less access to reliable medical information. Vaccination in newborns has proven to be safe and effective for decades, and changing that policy could increase the risk of preventable infections. It is important that decisions about children's health are based on solid evidence and that parents have access to clear and reliable information. Children's health must be a priority, and any changes to recommendations should be carefully considered and supported by experts to avoid adverse effects on disease prevention.