New U.S. recommendation on hepatitis B vaccine will have dire consequences, studies project
Two studies published in JAMA Pediatrics project that a new U.S. policy recommending hepatitis B vaccine at birth only for babies at risk will lead to increased infections and millions of dollars in extra healthcare costs. The policy, approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, was adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention despite public health experts' warnings.
A new U.S. policy on hepatitis B vaccine recommendations is expected to increase infant infections and healthcare costs. The policy, adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends vaccinating at birth only babies born to mothers who have tested positive for hepatitis B or haven't been screened. Researchers estimate an additional 69 to 628 infections annually, with extra healthcare costs. Hepatitis B is a highly infectious virus with no cure, and babies infected have a 90% chance of developing chronic infection. Many states have declared they will not adopt the recommendation, and a federal court judge has issued a preliminary ruling that the changes to vaccination policy were likely illegal.
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