Cody Meissner

Stories

ACIP moves to end universal hepatitis B shots at birth

Leading internal opponent of the policy change

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 8–3 on December 5, 2025 to end the recommendation that every U.S. newborn receive a hepatitis B shot within 24 hours of birth. The committee had been recently overhauled under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; acting CDC Director Jim O'Neill ratified the change on December 16, 2025.

Updated May 9

Notable Quotes

"We know vaccines are safe. The hepatitis B vaccine recommendation is very well established. We know it is safe, and we know it is very effective." ([sdpb.org](https://www.sdpb.org/2025-12-05/cdc-advisers-vote-to-overturn-decades-long-policy-on-hepatitis-b-vaccine-for-infants?utm_source=openai))

from ACIP moves to end universal hepatitis B shots at birth · Updated May 9

"Do no harm is a moral imperative. We are doing harm by changing this wording. And I vote no." ([scientificamerican.com](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cdc-vaccine-panel-scraps-guidance-for-universal-hepatitis-b-shots-at-birth/?utm_source=openai))

from ACIP moves to end universal hepatitis B shots at birth · Updated May 9