CDC Hepatitis B Vaccine Policy Change 2025: Panel Ends Universal Newborn Dose

🚨 CDC SHAKEUP: Vaccine panel ends universal hepatitis B newborn dose – experts warn of infection surge and trust erosion.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s advisory panel has made a major shift in hepatitis B vaccine policy. They voted to drop the universal recommendation for newborns. This ends 30 years of standard practice to give the shot within 24 hours of birth.

Now, only babies of mothers testing positive for hepatitis B get the dose right away. For others, parents decide with providers. The first shot can wait until 2 months old. The 8-3 vote came from a panel appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Personal Stories Highlight the Stakes

Dr. Su Wang learned she had hepatitis B at 18. Born before routine newborn shots, she likely got it from family. “I was healthy, then suddenly chronic illness,” she said. As a doctor now, she sees the policy change as risky.

Universal dosing since 1991 dropped child infections by 99%. It prevented 6 million cases and 1 million hospitalizations. Delaying could expose babies to household spread, not just mothers.

Key Policy Impacts:

• Ends automatic birth dose for most newborns
• Relies on maternal testing, risking gaps
• Could raise chronic infections and liver cancer
• Part of broader vaccine skepticism push

Source: Vaccine Integrity Project

Testing Limitations and Past Lessons

Testing isn’t foolproof. Mothers can get infected late in pregnancy. False negatives happen. Results get lost or delayed in hospitals. Universal dosing fixed these issues in the past.

In the 1980s, targeted strategies failed. Many infections came from unknown sources. By 1991, CDC switched to universal newborn shots. This worked. Now, reversing it ignores history.

Broader Turbulence for Public Trust

RFK Jr., a vaccine critic, reformed the panel. States now ignore CDC advice. They follow medical groups instead. This fragments guidance. Parents get confused. Vaccination rates may drop further.

Experts like Angela Rasmussen see a pattern. “They’re dismantling vaccine policy.” The change could boost late-onset VKDB risks. That’s bleeding up to 6 months old with high mortality.

Parental Choice vs. Public Health

Supporters call it empowerment. But critics say it burdens families. Immigrant groups face higher risks. They often miss testing. Universal policies protect everyone equally.

Adding antibody tests after shots sounds good. But it requires blood draws. That’s invasive for babies. Insurance must cover it. This adds complexity without clear benefits.

The U.S. now stands alone in dropping universal birth dosing. Outcomes may take decades to show. But predictions warn of 1,400 more infections yearly. That’s 300 liver cancer cases.

Stay with Daily Trending News 360 for updates on CDC hepatitis B vaccine policy change 2025 and health trends.

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