• The US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 8-3 to end the universal recommendation for hepatitis B vaccinations at birth.
• New guidelines suggest only infants born to hepatitis B-positive mothers should receive immediate vaccinations, with others left to individual decision-making.
• Medical and public health experts warn this decision could lead to increased hepatitis B infections and adverse health outcomes.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has voted to rescind the universal recommendation that all newborns receive hepatitis B vaccinations at birth, transitioning to an individual-based recommendation based on the mother's hepatitis B infection status. Infants born to mothers who test negative for the virus are now advised to begin the vaccination series at 2 months old after consultation with their healthcare provider, with the vote passing 8-3 on December 5, 2025, according to CBS News and Reuters.

This change marks a significant shift in U.S. vaccination policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has replaced longstanding vaccine advisory members with individuals sympathetic to his anti-vaccine stance. New committee members expressed skepticism toward the established benefits of immediate vaccination despite decades of research backing its safety and effectiveness, as reported by ABC News and BBC.

The hepatitis B vaccine has been a routine immunization for newborns since 1991, contributing to a dramatic decline in the rate of hepatitis B infections, which can lead to serious liver disease and life-threatening conditions. Critics of the new recommendations, including members of the medical and public health community, fear these changes could increase the risk of hepatitis B infections among infants and young children, echoing concerns raised by SCMP and Vox.

During the deliberations, dissenting committee members highlighted that the safety record of the hepatitis B vaccine has been well established, and any delay in its administration could pose unacceptable risks. Dr. Cody Meissner, a pediatric expert on the committee, noted, “We are doing harm by changing this wording,” as emphasized in discussions reported by Channel News Asia and Dawn.

The decision has drawn strong reactions from vaccine manufacturers and health organizations, with Merck expressing deep concern about the implications of the new guidance. They emphasized that the universal birth dose has significantly contributed to public health by preventing thousands of infections and reducing associated mortality, as pointed out by Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

As the CDC prepares to officially adopt these new recommendations, public health officials are voicing concerns about the potential long-term impacts on vaccination rates and public health trust. Critics argue that the new policy undermines decades of scientific consensus and could lead to a resurgence in hepatitis infections among vulnerable populations, noted by CBS News and Vox.