Hepatitis B Vaccination at Birth Remains Necessary according to Medical Professionals
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is set to meet on Thursday to discuss the recommendation for the hepatitis B vaccine given to newborns at birth. This move has sparked concerns within the medical community and patient advocacy groups, who fear a potential reversal of the policy could lead to an increase in perinatal hepatitis B transmission.
The hepatitis B vaccine, administered to newborns since 1991, acts as a safety net, reducing the risk for perinatal transmission when the status of the parent is either unknown or incorrectly documented at delivery. This vaccine has been instrumental in virtually eliminating hepatitis B among babies in the United States, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
However, a recent pledge by American health insurers to cover the cost of all vaccines based on previous ACIP recommendations may not protect kids who rely on no-cost vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program. The concern is that if the recommendation for a hepatitis B shot at birth is reversed, these children could be left unprotected.
The importance of a timely administration of a hepatitis B vaccine is underscored by the fact that hepatitis B is contagious and spreads through contact with blood or body fluids from a person infected with the virus. A person can be asymptomatic for many years and spread the infection, as highlighted by the CDC.
Currently, it's estimated that up to 2.4 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B in the U.S., many of whom are asymptomatic and unaware of their diagnosis. In 2023, at least 2,214 reports of acute hepatitis B cases were reported in the U.S., which corresponds to an estimated 14,400 acute infections with the virus, after adjusting for unrecognized or underreported infections.
The Hepatitis B Foundation has voiced grave concern that the recommendation for universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth will be reversed by the current ACIP. The foundation, which has advocated for a 'zero-tolerance policy for perinatal hepatitis B transmission in the U.S.', believes that such a move could put future generations at risk.
Dr. Su Wang, a primary care doctor living with chronic hepatitis B, echoes this sentiment. He believes that a universal hepatitis B vaccine strategy is crucial to prevent people from falling through the cracks in the healthcare system.
The first hepatitis B vaccine was licensed in 1981, and the ACIP recommended a vaccine dose universally for all babies in 1991. Since its approval in 1986, Merck, which makes one of the FDA-approved hepatitis B vaccines, has distributed 330 million doses worldwide and has closely monitored the safety of its shot for over 35 years.
Before 1991, hepatitis B shots were only given to infants considered high risk. However, this strategy missed many cases, as seen in 1999 when there was a temporary pause in the universal recommendation, in favor of a risk-based recommendation for a brief period that year.
It's worth noting that the search results do not provide information on the name of the head of the Hepatitis-B Foundation advocating for the continuation of universal Hepatitis-B vaccination recommendations for newborns. However, the foundation has been a strong advocate for this policy, citing the significant reduction in hepatitis B cases among newborns as a testament to its effectiveness.
As the ACIP meets to discuss the future of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, the focus remains on ensuring the health and wellbeing of the nation's newborns. The potential reversal of this policy has raised concerns among medical professionals and patient advocates alike, who are urging the committee to consider the implications such a move could have on the ongoing fight against hepatitis B.
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