Experts Launch Review of Hepatitis B Vaccine Birth Dose Ahead of ACIP Vote

With a crucial vote scheduled for December 4, 2023, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is set to decide whether to uphold the long-standing recommendation that all medically stable newborns receive their initial hepatitis B vaccine dose within 24 hours of birth. In anticipation of this decision, a group of experts from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy has initiated an independent review of the hepatitis B birth dose. This effort aims to ensure that the scientific evidence surrounding the vaccine is thoroughly evaluated and presented transparently to policymakers, clinicians, and the public.

For over three decades, the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine has represented a significant achievement in public health, effectively protecting newborns from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. Since the universal vaccination program began in 1991, rates of infant HBV infections have dropped dramatically, with pediatric cases in the U.S. declining by at least 90%. A recent CDC study indicated that vaccination efforts have prevented more than 6 million hepatitis B infections and nearly 1 million hepatitis B-related hospitalizations in the country.

The economic implications of this vaccination are substantial. Treating a patient who requires a liver transplant can exceed $320,000 annually. Without vaccination, approximately 90% of infants infected at birth would develop chronic infections, with one in four of those children at risk of premature death from liver disease or liver cancer.

Importance of the Independent Review

The independent review is prompted by questions raised during the ACIP’s September meeting regarding the sufficiency of existing data. Some committee members proposed delaying vaccination for infants whose mothers tested negative for hepatitis B, a suggestion that did not appear to stem from new evidence. The Vaccine Integrity Project plans to analyze CDC surveillance data, prior ACIP assessments, and extensive epidemiological studies to assess the safety and effectiveness of the birth dose. They will also compare the experiences of other countries that have implemented universal birth dosing.

Despite the skepticism expressed by some ACIP members regarding vaccination in general, the Vaccine Integrity Project remains committed to presenting a comprehensive, data-driven analysis before the upcoming meeting. This review will clarify the potential consequences of weakening vaccination protection for newborns.

Concerns Over Vaccine Messaging

Recent changes to the CDC’s website have raised alarm about the potential for misinformation regarding vaccines, including unfounded claims linking vaccines to autism. Such shifts can confuse the public and complicate informed decision-making regarding vaccinations.

Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, emphasizes that science must be defended and communicated effectively, particularly when it concerns the health of children and the broader public. The Vaccine Integrity Project’s evidence review of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose aims to provide a clear and accessible examination of its safety and effectiveness, reinforcing the project’s mission to ensure vaccine use remains scientifically grounded.

As the ACIP prepares to vote, the outcomes of this independent review and the committee’s decision will have significant implications for public health policy and the ongoing fight against hepatitis B in the United States.