CDC’s vaccine advisers delay a key vote on newborn hepatitis B vaccination after a chaotic and unclear meeting.
A critical decision on infant hepatitis B vaccination was postponed again on Thursday due to a disorganised meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP). The vote was postponed till Friday by a vote of 6–3 due to technological difficulties, ambiguous presentations, and altering voting language. A number of advisors publicly expressed their confusion over what they were asked to vote on (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
CDC advisers delay crucial vote on hepatitis B vaccination in tense meeting
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A proven vaccine that cut newborn hepatitis B cases by 99% now hangs in the balance.
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Long-Standing Hepatitis B Birth Dose Under Unexpected Review
Before 1991, there were 18,000 newborn infections in the US; currently, there are only around 20 cases annually due to the hepatitis B birth dosage recommendation. This evaluation was not driven by any new scientific discoveries or safety concerns, which raises the issue of why a proven policy is being reevaluated. Survey data cited during the meeting suggested some parental hesitation but did not provide clinical justification for altering the schedule.
Experts Raise Alarm Over Non-Scientific Claims and Retracted Studies
Two speakers, who are authors of the retracted Autism Tsunami study, sparked controversy when they said that hepatitis B was never a real threat to American newborns. The health professionals criticised the session on the grounds that it presented distorted research and data that were of poor quality. Decades of comprehensive research indicated that the dosage of the drug taken at birth is highly significant in the prevention of chronic hepatitis B, liver failure and cancer later in life.
Concerns Grow About ACIP’s Credibility and Scientific Direction
Several notable infectious disease specialists have cautioned that disinformation and political influences are influencing the ACIP’s decision-making process. Dr Michael Osterholm described the gathering as a “historic moment” in public health, and he voiced worry that ACIP is losing its scientific grounding. Concerns over the committee’s trustworthiness were exacerbated by disagreements among members over what qualifies as legitimate evidence.
Upcoming Vote Will Shape Newborn Vaccination Guidance for 2025
On Friday, ACIP is expected to vote on whether to maintain the longstanding birth dose for infants born to hepatitis B–positive mothers, reaffirm the recommendation when a mother’s status is unknown, and require medical consultation regarding testing before later doses. A presentation from vaccine litigator Aaron Siri is also on the agenda, adding to concerns about the committee’s direction.
Reference:
- CDC advisers delay crucial vote on hepatitis B vaccination in tense meeting – (https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/04/health/cdc-vaccine-acip-meeting-hepatitis-b/)
Source-CDC