Crucial US Advisory Committee to Vote on Changing Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendation
Following a hold-up and a particularly heated meeting, a federal vaccine advisory panel was scheduled to decide on Friday regarding a potential change to the longstanding recommendation that all newborns be immunized against hepatitis B.
Intense Discussion and a Postponed Decision
The opening session of the meeting on Thursday was marked by fiery discussion over limiting availability to the hepatitis B vaccine for babies and a choice to postpone the decision by a day to provide committee members extra time to examine the language. The group, which guides the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine use, had previously delayed on two occasions.
“Is there any concrete proof of harm of giving this shot before 30 days? Or is this theory?” asked one committee member.
In answer, another member stated, “There is inadequate data about the enduring danger.”
Existing Recommendations and Likely Ramifications
The vaccine is presently advised for each baby within 24 hours of delivery to prevent infection of hepatitis B, which can cause major damage to the liver. It has been administered to 1.4 billion people for more than three decades.
The meeting in Atlanta provided no fresh data of harms caused by the vaccine. Experts say any modification to the current hepatitis B vaccine regimen could have major and extensive implications for infant and child health in the United States.
Committee Makeup and New Appointments
The expert committee can only provide advice to the head of the CDC. The panel's membership has experienced alterations this week, with the declaration that the panel's latest chairman would depart for an formal position and be substituted with a cardiologist who has been questioning of other immunizations.
The panel includes multiple immunization doubters who are in agreement with a desire to overhaul – and possibly, in some cases, abolish – long-established vaccination recommendations.
