Without evidence, RFK Jr.'s vaccine panel tosses hep B vaccine recommendation
5 days ago
- #public health
- #hepatitis B
- #vaccination
- Federal vaccine advisors, selected by anti-vaccine Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted to eliminate the recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination at birth.
- The decision lacked evidence of harm from the birth dose or benefits from delaying it.
- Public health and medical experts criticized the vote, warning it could increase infections, chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and premature death in babies.
- A pediatrician and ACIP member, Cody Meissner, opposed the change, stating it would cause harm.
- The 8–3 vote marked the third attempt to withdraw the universal recommendation in place since 1991.
- Historical data showed a 37% increase in infected infants when only 'high-risk' infants were vaccinated between 1979 and 1989.
- The universal birth dose recommendation nearly eliminated infections soon after birth.
- In September, a panel member, Joseph Hibbeln, noted the lack of data supporting the change or comparing risks/benefits of birth vs. one-month vaccination.