For a new parent who doesn’t have background knowledge about vaccination, the idea can be complicated and confusing, especially when there’s so much disinformation and propaganda being spread.
Now the decision for one vaccine, the Hepatitis B vaccine, usually given to newborns within 24 hours of birth, may be even more confusing for parents, since a federal panel just voted to shift the recommendation. Previously, the Hep B shot was recommended for every newborn; now, the recommendation is for mothers who test negative for the virus to make an informed decision.
Here’s what this may mean for parents, babies, and the future.
What Is The Standard Recommendation For Newborns And Hepatitis B Vaccines?
An archived copy of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for Hepatitis B vaccination shows that the standard recommendation was a three-dose series, with the first dose given within 24 hours of birth, the second dose by around 2 months of age, and the third dose between 6 months and 18 months of age.
The list of individuals who should receive a vaccine included
All infants.
Unvaccinated children younger than 19 years of age.
Adults 19–59 years.
Adults 60 years and older with risk factors for hepatitis B.
And optionally,
Adults 60 years and older without known risk factors for hepatitis B.
In short, the list includes every person of every age. The recommendation is only slightly less stringent for those over 60 with no risk factors.
Why Is The Hepatitis B Vaccine So Important At Birth?
Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver.
In adults, an estimated 5-10% who are infected will progress to chronic infection, which can lead to liver failure and cancer. This chronic infection can also be asymptomatic in some people until the symptoms of cancer or liver failure appear.
In infants, though, the risk of chronic infection is closer to 90%, and they are more likely to be asymptomatic until the situation is serious.
The recommendation has been in place for nearly 35 years and has had massive, measurable effects in making children safer, according to Johns Hopkins.
“In 1991, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices recommended hepatitis B vaccination at birth for all newborns. Within 10 years of the universal birth dose recommendation being in place, hepatitis B cases among U.S. children ages 6–19 dropped by 68%.”
What Exactly Is Changing, And What Reasons Are Given?
For now, it doesn’t seem that any profound changes in the availability of the vaccine (including insurance coverage) are imminent.
The recommendation for infants whose mothers test positive for the Hepatitis B virus remains unchanged. Still, those who test negative are advised to consult their doctors and make an informed decision, a shift from the advice that would have all infants inoculated as a matter of routine.
On the surface, this doesn’t change much, as most medical professionals will continue to advise their patients to make the choice backed by all our scientific knowledge, and medical experts continue to recommend vaccination.
However, in practice, relaxing these standards will mean that more parents feel confident about skipping vaccination.
Unfortunately, since symptoms can be delayed and false negatives can occur (especially very early in infection), it’s possible to miss an infection, and a baby can also be exposed by other caregivers, which will increase the risk to infants.
This decision follows a presentation arguing that universal vaccination did not have a significant effect on the decline in infections; that transfusion rules and needle exchange programs were more relevant; and just over half of babies (57.9%) born to mothers who tested positive were not born to mothers from the U.S., the CDC details.
What Should Parents Take From This?
Make your vaccination decisions by talking to your doctor and your child’s doctor, not by listening to political figures, YouTube videos, or social media posts.
When standards change suddenly, especially in a political environment where the topic is divisive, and the rhetoric is heated, it’s especially important to avoid letting the public discourse, strangers on the internet, viral videos, or speeches from a political platform sway your decision.
Because the Hepatitis B vaccine would be given to your child shortly after birth, when you may still be dealing with your own physical health, speak to your doctor (your obgyn, the pediatrician you plan to work with, a family doctor, or other medical professional whom you trust) before the end of your pregnancy.
Ask them for honest answers about the risks and benefits, and decide for your baby based on their well-being.