December 8, 2025

expert reaction to CDC vaccine panel voting to end hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for newborns

Scientists comment on the US CDC vaccine panel voting to end Hepatitis B vaccine recommendations for newborn babies. 

Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush, Assistant Professor, Department of Global Health & Development at LSHTM, said:

“It is not unusual for routine immunisation schedules to be updated following evaluations of risk, epidemiology, or cost/benefit analysis. Changes to the routine immunisation schedule in England were implemented in July 2025, and children will no longer be offered the combined Hib-MenC vaccine. Schedule changes are not problematic if they are guided by evidence and independent expert bodies. 

“Unfortunately, that guiding principle is no longer the case in the U.S., since all the members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) were fired earlier this year and replaced with several others who are critical of vaccines. My concern is how this decision over hepatitis B vaccination forms part of a strategy of vaccine policy attrition, to chip away at the routine schedule and public confidence in vaccination in the United States.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwypwznx9kqo

Declared interests

Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush: No competing interests to declare.