Experts Warn of Rising Infections and Gaps in Protection
Opponents of the new measure—speaking before and during the two-day ACIP meeting—said real-world gaps in maternal testing will leave infants unnecessarily exposed at the most dangerous stage of life.
Those infected at birth face a significantly higher risk of chronic infection. The universal birth dose has long been credited with driving national hepatitis B rates downward.
Yet some ACIP members argued the vaccine is unnecessary for most newborns. Former President Donald Trump has echoed similar rhetoric, inaccurately characterizing the virus as exclusively “sexually transmitted” and suggesting children wait until age 12 to receive it.
Members Clash Over Evidence—and the Lack of It
Some panelists called the new recommendations unsupported by science.
“We have still not had any information or science presented… on before or after 2 months of age,” said Dr. Joseph R. Hibbeln, who voted against all changes. “This is unconscionable.”
Dr. Cody Meissner, a pediatrician who joined ACIP in September, agreed, criticizing what he described as a leap into “never-never land” by proposing serology tests after just one dose, despite the tests being validated only after the full series.
“To make the changes that are being proposed, we will see more children… infected with hepatitis B,” Meissner warned.
Dr. Raymond Pollak also voted against the measures, while pharmacist Hilary Blackburn opposed the serology-related recommendation. Epidemiologist Catherine Stein abstained.
