Experts Warn Against Delaying Hepatitis B Vaccine for Newborns as CDC Panel Prepares Vote
Source: www.npr.org Key Points: Delaying Risk: Postponing the birth dose of hepatitis B increases newborn infection risk. Birth Dose Crucial: Early vaccination prevents lifelong infections and liver disease. ACIP Impact: Delays could create financial hurdles and lead to some preventable cases. A leading liver disease specialist has cautioned that delaying hepatitis B vaccines for newborns could increase infection risks, just as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) prepares to vote on potential changes to the immunization schedule. The panel is scheduled to meet on Thursday to review recommendations for hepatitis B vaccines. While the full agenda has not been made public, health experts believe the committee may consider delaying or ending the current recommendation for a birth dose. Risks of Transmission at Birth The physician warned that removing or postponing the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccines would leave i...