Delay on Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendation

The vaccine advisory board chosen by Robert F. Kennedy has postponed its decision regarding the inclusion of the hepatitis B vaccine in the childhood immunization schedule.

On Thursday, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) convened for the first of two days. They reviewed presentations and were expected to vote on a universal hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for infants. However, the board voted 6-3 to defer the vote, allowing advisers time to consider last-minute changes to the wording of the recommendation.

The meeting revealed a divide among attendees, with some advocating for changes and others opposing them. The panel intends to revisit the topic on Friday.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has expressed support for altering the recommendation, suggesting that the hepatitis B birth dose could be a “likely culprit” for autism during an appearance on Tucker Carlson’s podcast in June.

Senator Roger Marshall, a Republican from Kansas and OBGYN, argues that the hepatitis B vaccine is unnecessary if the mother tests negative during pregnancy. The virus primarily spreads through sexual contact or shared needles, and mothers who are exposed may transmit it to their children.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Signal, Marshall stated that removing the hepatitis B vaccine from the schedule would help enhance the doctor-patient relationship and provide families with greater autonomy in their children’s healthcare. He mentioned, “If you, as a mother, want your baby to get the vaccine, I’m fine with that. But I believe it should be the parents’ decision, not a bureaucrat’s in Washington, D.C.”

If the hepatitis B vaccine is dropped from the schedule, insurance companies may not be obligated to cover it. Still, Marshall emphasized that ACIP shouldn’t base its choice on insurance considerations. “I understand their concerns, but health departments will continue to provide vaccines to everyone, regardless of insurance. Many people turn to county health departments anyway,” he stated.

Marshall expressed concerns that administering the hepatitis B shot right after birth might interfere with a baby’s immune system. “We know so little about immune systems. I fear that giving a vaccine so early could disrupt its natural development,” he remarked.

He proposed allowing a baby’s immune system to mature before administering the hepatitis B vaccine. “If a mother has high-risk factors—like being a sex worker or using IV drugs—then, sure, I would recommend vaccinating,” he clarified. “The CDC could still suggest it without it being given immediately after birth.”

Marshall believes ACIP faces the challenge of identifying the most appropriate age to administer the hepatitis B vaccine with minimal effect on infants.

“I’m worried about the impurities in these vaccines, the nonessential substances… The quality of production raises concerns as well. It seems to me that vaccines should ideally be made in America, unless proven otherwise. Then there’s the issue of potential interactions when multiple vaccines are given at once—it’s tough to discern how that affects a child’s immune system,” he added.

Following the vote, ACIP’s recommendation will go to the CDC, which will ultimately decide on the childhood immunization schedule.

“We ought to focus our research on determining the best timing for vaccinations,” Marshall continued. “By the first year, a baby may have up to 25 vaccinations, which feels excessive. My instinct as a doctor is to avoid mixing medications when possible.”

Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, has also commented on X, asserting that there’s no medical rationale for vaccinating newborns if their mother isn’t infected.

Polling data from Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio indicates that 80% of voters consider the hepatitis B vaccine important, with 70% of Trump supporters agreeing.

Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician and chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, expressed significant concern about possible changes to the hepatitis B vaccination schedule. “This approach reflects a lack of understanding of hepatitis B epidemiology or perhaps a misplaced confidence in our past successes, given the currently low incidence rates,” he told CBS News.

Since 1991, ACIP has recommended that all infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine.

On Friday, ACIP will vote on whether the government should eliminate its recommendation for the vaccination at birth for babies whose mothers tested negative, while maintaining guidance for those with positive results or unknown infection status.

The previous guidance allowed parents of children whose mother’s infection status was unknown to make decisions in consultation with their healthcare provider.