Federal vaccine advisors, handpicked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have voted to scrap a long-standing recommendation that all babies be vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth. The move has sparked widespread criticism from public health experts, medical professionals, and some committee members themselves.
The decision was made with no evidence to support delaying the dose or harming babies from receiving the vaccine on the day of birth. In fact, studies have shown that delaying vaccination until after one month of age can lead to more infections, chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and premature death.
Committee member Cody Meissner, a pediatrician, cast his vote against the change, citing concerns about "doing no harm" by keeping the universal recommendation. The 8-3 vote was the third time the committee has attempted to withdraw this long-standing recommendation, which has been in place since 1991.
The move is particularly alarming given that hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. According to estimates, about 50% of people infected with hepatitis B are unaware they carry the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that this new approach could leave babies vulnerable to infection in the first two months of life.
Critics have also questioned the decision-making process behind the change, pointing out a lack of data supporting the altered recommendation. "I think we're making things up," Meissner said, comparing the situation to "Never Never Land." Medical experts have condemned the vote as "reckless" and "undermines decades of public confidence in a proven lifesaving vaccine."
In a statement, Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, a board member of the American Medical Association, stated that today's action is "not based on scientific evidence... creates confusion for parents about how best to protect their newborns." The decision has sparked outrage among medical professionals and public health experts, who warn that it could lead to more infections and severe consequences for babies.
The decision was made with no evidence to support delaying the dose or harming babies from receiving the vaccine on the day of birth. In fact, studies have shown that delaying vaccination until after one month of age can lead to more infections, chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and premature death.
Committee member Cody Meissner, a pediatrician, cast his vote against the change, citing concerns about "doing no harm" by keeping the universal recommendation. The 8-3 vote was the third time the committee has attempted to withdraw this long-standing recommendation, which has been in place since 1991.
The move is particularly alarming given that hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. According to estimates, about 50% of people infected with hepatitis B are unaware they carry the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that this new approach could leave babies vulnerable to infection in the first two months of life.
Critics have also questioned the decision-making process behind the change, pointing out a lack of data supporting the altered recommendation. "I think we're making things up," Meissner said, comparing the situation to "Never Never Land." Medical experts have condemned the vote as "reckless" and "undermines decades of public confidence in a proven lifesaving vaccine."
In a statement, Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, a board member of the American Medical Association, stated that today's action is "not based on scientific evidence... creates confusion for parents about how best to protect their newborns." The decision has sparked outrage among medical professionals and public health experts, who warn that it could lead to more infections and severe consequences for babies.
, but I heard we're just gonna start playing a game of "Vaccine Roulette" with all the newborns now 
... 50% of people don't even know they have hepatitis B and we're just like "Oh well, let's delay the vaccine shot for a month" 
. I mean, what could possibly go wrong? 
Experts are already saying it's gonna lead to more infections and deaths... so basically, we're all just winging it here 
. I guess that's what happens when you've got Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. making the calls 
.
I'm so worried about this new recommendation from the vaccine advisors. Delaying hepatitis B vaccination at birth is just not a good idea, especially since it can be transmitted from mom to child during childbirth. The numbers are scary - 50% of people infected with hepatitis B are unaware they carry the virus! 
What's even more alarming is that medical experts are saying this new approach could lead to more infections and severe consequences for babies. It just doesn't add up, you know? I mean, we've been doing this vaccination thing for decades, and it's proven to be life-saving. Let's not mess with a good thing! 
. And yet these advisors think they can just make this up as they go along? 
It's like playing a game of chicken without a safety net 
. The fact that they're ignoring decades of evidence and expert consensus is just mind-boggling 
. And what really gets my goat is the 50% of people who don't even know they have hepatitis B - we can't afford to lose any more babies to this disease 
. It's a recipe for disaster, if you ask me 
. I'm seriously worried about the implications of this decision and how it'll affect public health 
I'm totally baffled by this move... like what's going on here? They're basically undoing a proven vaccine that's been saving lives since 1991! 
It's just common sense, you know?
The fact is, delaying vaccination can lead to some serious health issues. Like, have they even read the studies on this topic? 
It's not like there's some new evidence coming out that says "oh wait, let's change everything!" 
it just doesn't make sense to me why they're doing this. and what's with the lack of evidence? shouldn't we be basing decisions on science rather than speculation? 
This whole thing smells like a recipe for disaster...
. Who is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to just handpick these vaccine advisors and have them vote like this? It's not right. And what's with the lack of evidence to support delaying the vaccination? I mean, we all know how powerful Big Pharma can be... maybe they're trying to weaken our immune systems or something 
how can they make such a decision with no evidence? it's reckless and underhanded. i'm so worried about the parents who are gonna be left feelin like they're makin stuff up too. this is never never land indeed... 
i mean idk if they're good or not but my friend swears by them. anyway back to this vaccine thing i'm like totally confused why would anyone wanna scrap the birth dose? my cousin got the hepatitis B vaccine at birth and she's fine now her little bro had it a bit later tho... did he get sick or something?
. what were these advisors thinking?! did they watch "Breaking Bad" or something? 
. Studies have shown that delaying vaccination can lead to more infections and some serious long-term damage 
.
He's a lawyer not a doctor, folks! Who gives him the authority to make life-or-death decisions like this? 
It's time to take a step back and reevaluate this decision with some actual medical experts on board 
.
. Babies are NOT little people who can give informed consent for vaccines, they're tiny humans who need our protection 
. We need to stick with the tried-and-true approach here and not make things up as we go along 
. Vaccines have saved countless lives and we shouldn't be rolling them back now