The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a change in its approach to hepatitis B immunization for infants born to mothers who test negative for the virus. Parents will now participate in individual-based decision-making, also known as shared clinical decision-making, when considering whether to administer the hepatitis B vaccine—including the birth dose—to their newborns.
Under this new policy, parents and health care providers are encouraged to weigh the benefits and risks of vaccination as well as the risk of infection. Decisions about starting the hepatitis B vaccine series should take into account factors such as household exposure or frequent contact with people from regions where hepatitis B is common. If parents choose not to give the birth dose, it is recommended that the first vaccine dose be administered no earlier than two months of age.
The CDC’s child immunization schedule will be updated based on recommendations from its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which were approved by Acting Director of the CDC and Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O'Neill. Clinical guidance related to hepatitis B vaccines will also be revised accordingly.
"This recommendation reflects ACIP's rigorous review of the available evidence," said Acting Director of the CDC and Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O'Neill. "We are restoring the balance of informed consent to parents whose newborns face little risk of contracting hepatitis B."
The CDC is also reviewing a secondary ACIP recommendation suggesting that parents consult health care providers regarding serology testing to determine if additional vaccine doses are necessary. For infants born to mothers who are positive for hepatitis B or whose status is unknown, current guidelines requiring a birth dose of both hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin remain unchanged.
This change ensures that coverage for hepatitis B vaccination remains consistent across all payment mechanisms, including federal programs such as Vaccines for Children Program, Children's Health Insurance Program, Medicaid, Medicare, and insurance plans offered through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.
The CDC plays a critical role in protecting public health in the United States by providing timely information, conducting research, investing in local initiatives, and responding quickly to disease outbreaks both domestically and internationally. More details about these efforts can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/about/organization/cio.htm.
