A pivotal federal vaccine advisory committee in the United States is set to meet this week, with a controversial item on its agenda: a discussion on whether to rescind the long-standing recommendation that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine within their first 24 hours of life.
Why the Birth Dose is Under Scrutiny
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), recently overhauled by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is expected to challenge the current public health guidance. This move directly contradicts decades of established medical advice and has alarmed leading health organisations. The committee, which now includes several anti-vaccine voices, has questioned the necessity of vaccinating infants so early, with member Dr. Evelyn Griffin asking in a September meeting, "Are we asking our babies to solve an adult problem?"
Despite the impending discussion, major medical bodies are standing firm. Dr. Sean O'Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics confirmed the organisation will continue to urge the birth dose, stating unequivocally, "We are going to continue to recommend it because it saves lives." The exact changes being considered remain unclear, as federal officials have not disclosed the proposed research or specified how long a delay might be.
The Stakes: A Proven Defence Against Cancer
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that can become chronic, particularly in infants and children, leading to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. The vaccine, first licensed in the US in 1981, is celebrated as the first shot proven to prevent cancer. The birth dose policy, established in 1991, was implemented because screening pregnant mothers was found to miss cases, and the virus can survive on surfaces for over a week, putting unvaccinated household members at risk.
The success of this policy is stark. Over roughly 30 years, annual hepatitis B cases in US children plummeted from about 18,000 to just 2,200. A recent analysis by the Vaccine Integrity Project, reviewing over 400 studies, concluded the birth dose is safe and a cornerstone of this public health victory.
Potential Consequences of a Policy Shift
Should the committee vote to delay the first dose, the impact could be severe. A report released this week by public health researchers and advocacy groups estimates that postponing the vaccine until two months of age could result in at least 1,400 additional hepatitis B infections in children and 480 deaths. The toll would likely be higher if the delay were longer.
While Dr. O'Leary noted that a changed ACIP recommendation may have limited direct impact on hospital billing practices, he warned of a significant ripple effect: "If it scares, it shares on social media," he said, highlighting the potential for parental confusion and fear. A coalition of Northeastern state officials has already pre-emptively stated they will continue to recommend the birth dose, and US Senator Patty Murray has called for Congress to compel Secretary Kennedy to explain the committee's actions, labelling a potential change a "heartless choice to allow babies to die."
The ACIP is scheduled to vote on the matter during its meeting on Thursday, 4 December 2025.
