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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices delayed its vote on hepatitis B vaccines due to disagreements and confusion over voting language. The decision to postpone the vote to Friday (December 5) follows a meeting on Thursday that was marked by misinformation and controversy.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced the previous committee members in June with appointees who have largely expressed skepticism about vaccines. This change has sparked concerns among experts and organizations like the Hepatitis B Foundation. Chari Cohen, president of the foundation, expressed worry over the proposed changes to the childhood vaccine schedule, stating that efforts to delay the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns are based on misinformation. "There’s no scientific argument that one could really make to get rid of the vaccine," Cohen said.
The hepatitis B vaccine is crucial in preventing liver infections, and since 1991, the CDC has recommended it for all infants. The current schedule includes a three-dose series starting within 24 hours of birth. The panel's proposed changes could delay the first dose until at least 30 days after birth for infants whose mothers test negative for hepatitis B.
The meeting is the first since significant changes at the CDC, including the firing of over 600 workers and the appointment of vaccine skeptics to key positions. The panel's decisions could impact vaccine accessibility, especially for children enrolled in programs like Medicaid.
States like Massachusetts and Rhode Island have committed to maintaining access to the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, regardless of the CDC's final decision. However, Georgia's Department of Public Health plans to monitor federal guidance before making any changes.