Controversial Shift: ACIP Votes to Remove Universal Hepatitis B Vaccine for Newborns

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine advisers have voted to halt the universal Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. The decision sparked backlash, with critics citing long-standing proof of the vaccine's efficacy and safety. Concerns arise over potential increases in infections and risks for infants.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel advising the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has voted to end the universal Hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for newborns, marking a significant policy shift under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

This decision has prompted an outcry from healthcare professionals and organizations, including Merck and the American Pharmacists Association (APHA), who argue that it jeopardizes decades of progress in preventing infant Hepatitis B infections. They highlight the vaccine's proven safety and effectiveness, noting the risk to infants now without early immunization.

Critics expressed concern over increasing infant infections and heightened risks of liver cancer and chronic infections. Prominent figures in the medical community urge reliance on scientifically-backed guidelines and the continuation of proven public health strategies to protect children's health.