Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s handpicked vaccine committee just voted to scrap universal hepatitis B birth shots for babies, overturning three decades of proven public health policy that reduced child infections by 99%.
Story Overview
- Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 8-3 to weaken universal hepatitis B birth dose recommendations
- New guidance allows parents to delay vaccination until 2 months for babies whose mothers test negative
- Committee members warn that change could increase infections among children despite decades of safety data
- American Medical Association calls the vote “reckless” and not based on scientific evidence
Kennedy Restructures Federal Vaccine Panel
Kennedy completely restructured the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, appointing 12 new members, including known vaccine critics. The committee sets crucial recommendations determining which vaccines Americans should receive and what insurers must cover at no cost.
This dramatic personnel change enabled Friday’s contentious vote in Atlanta, where eight members supported weakening hepatitis B birth dose guidance while three opposed the measure.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s hand-picked vaccine committee voted on Friday to do away with the long-standing, universal recommendation that all babies receive a hepatitis B shot at birth, issuing weaker guidance for certain infants. https://t.co/btpVnMnLJE pic.twitter.com/fiAIRl5n9d
— CNBC (@CNBC) December 5, 2025
Universal Birth Dose Recommendation Eliminated
The committee voted to replace the CDC’s universal recommendation that all babies receive hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth. Under new guidance, parents can consult healthcare providers to determine the timing for babies whose mothers tested negative during pregnancy.
Those who did not receive the birth dose must wait until at least 2 months old for their first vaccination. This overturns policy credited with driving down childhood hepatitis B infections by 99% over thirty years.
Medical Experts Issue Stark Warnings
Committee members who opposed the change delivered pointed warnings about potential consequences. Dr. Joseph Hibbeln stated the decision “has great potential to cause harm” and urged the committee to accept responsibility for future injuries.
Dr. Cody Meissner from Dartmouth predicted more children will catch hepatitis B infections, emphasizing that following any course other than immediate vaccination is “not in the interest of infants.” He warned that hepatitis B will return despite highly effective existing vaccines.
Scientific Evidence Contradicts Committee Decision
Multiple factors undermine the safety rationale behind delaying vaccination. Test results can produce false negatives, pregnant women can become infected after testing, and babies face infection risks from household members beyond their mothers.
A 2024 CDC study documented that current vaccination schedules prevented over 6 million hepatitis B infections and nearly 1 million related hospitalizations. Decades of evidence demonstrate safe administration to newborns, contradicting claims about neonatal period risks raised by some committee members.
The American Medical Association condemned the vote as undermining public confidence in proven vaccines and creating dangerous confusion for parents. Vaccine manufacturers Merck and GSK expressed deep concern, noting no evidence supports delaying birth doses while emphasizing risks of chronic infection, liver cancer, and death.
The acting CDC director must still approve these recommendations before implementation, though insurance coverage remains unaffected.
