In a major shift in U.S. vaccine policy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially dropped the decades-old recommendation for universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth, a move initiated under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who has long questioned vaccine safety. This change, adopted on December 16, 2025, marks a significant departure from established public health guidance and has sparked concern among medical experts who emphasize the vaccine’s proven safety record over the past 34 years.
The decision was formalized by the CDC after its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), recently reconstituted by Kennedy with members holding anti-vaccine views, voted to end the routine birth dose for all newborns. According to reports from CNN and other outlets, the new guidance now recommends hepatitis B vaccination at birth only for infants whose mothers test positive for the virus or whose status is unknown, while others may delay the shot. This shift aligns with Kennedy’s stated goal of scrutinizing the entire childhood immunization schedule, which he has criticized without presenting new safety evidence.
Historically, the hepatitis B vaccine was added to the childhood schedule in 1991 to protect newborns from a highly contagious virus that can cause chronic infection, liver failure, and cancer. Before vaccination, approximately 18,000 children contracted hepatitis B annually, but widespread immunization has reduced infections in American children by 99%. The birth dose served as a critical safety net because screening during pregnancy misses a significant portion of infected mothers, and infants have a 90% chance of developing chronic infection if exposed early in life.
Kennedy’s overhaul of ACIP in June 2025, where he fired all 17 members and replaced them with appointees skeptical of vaccines, paved the way for this policy reversal. His administration has pushed to model the U.S. vaccine schedule after countries like Denmark, which recommends fewer vaccines. However, critics argue that Denmark’s system benefits from universal healthcare and robust patient registries, whereas the fragmented U.S. system with gaps in coverage and screening makes the birth dose essential for preventing outbreaks.
Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have rejected the CDC’s new guidance and plan to continue recommending universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth. States such as California, New York, and Illinois have indicated they will adhere to evidence-based guidelines, potentially creating a patchwork of recommendations across the country. This divergence highlights the tension between federal policy changes and longstanding public health practices.
The childhood immunization schedule, first unified in 1995, has been built over decades through rigorous clinical trials and continuous safety monitoring. Vaccines on the schedule have made diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella rare in the U.S., and technological advances have reduced the antigen load in vaccines, making them safer. Despite this track record, Kennedy’s scrutiny has introduced uncertainty, with plans announced for a broader overhaul of the schedule in early 2026 to further align with European standards.
Health experts warn that rolling back recommendations without new safety data could undermine public trust and lead to decreases in vaccination rates, increasing the risk of disease resurgence. The hepatitis B change is seen as a test case for future modifications under Kennedy’s leadership, with potential implications for other vaccines. Ongoing monitoring will be crucial to assess the impact on infant health and preventable infections.
In summary, the CDC’s decision to drop universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth reflects a new era of vaccine policy under RFK Jr., challenging established norms despite a strong safety record. As the debate continues, the focus remains on balancing scrutiny with evidence-based protection for children’s health.
