December 5, 2025

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After intense debate and objection from public health experts, the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee voted to end the recommendation that all newborns receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth—despite no new scientific evidence. 

Universal hepatitis B vaccination remains part of the recommended vaccination schedule from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Many medical and health organizations, including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, continue to recommend newborn vaccination.

Keep reading for what’s happening and content you can share now.

CDC vaccine panel votes to end universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth

What’s happening:

• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to stop recommending that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Instead, the panel recommends that pregnant people who test negative for hepatitis B consult with their health care provider about vaccinating their baby.
• The CDC previously recommended that all newborns—regardless of their parent’s hepatitis B status—receive the first dose of the vaccine within 24 hours of birth.
• Health experts have warned that ending universal newborn vaccination could lead to rising rates of chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and death from hepatitis B.
• The president of the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasized that “there is no new or concerning information about the hepatitis B vaccine that is prompting this change” and reaffirmed the proven safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

Why this matters:

As community members hear about the vote over the next few days and weeks, some may feel unsure about whether to vaccinate their babies. This is a chance to emphasize the scientific consensus about the safety and importance of hepatitis B vaccination at birth.

What to say:

• Hepatitis B can cause severe liver disease, cancer, and death. Infants who are infected have a high likelihood of developing a lifelong infection.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the American Academy of Family Physicians continue to recommend that newborns receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth.
• Your doctor and baby’s doctor are excellent resources if you have questions about why babies receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.

Share this in response

Suggested caption:

Your baby can’t ask for protection—but you can give it. Hepatitis B can lead to lifelong illness, liver cancer, or even death. Babies are especially vulnerable.

The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and starts protecting your baby from day one. Make sure they get their first dose within 24 hours of birth.

Also available in Spanish and Arabic.

Want to reshare content quickly? Repost the AAP’s post on Facebook or Instagram reaffirming support for the hepatitis B vaccine.

We’ll return next week with our regular monthly newsletter, which will summarize reactions to the ACIP meeting in Michigan.

Thanks for reading,

The MI Health Communications Initiative team