LSHTM experts say panel's decision to stop recommending hepatitis B vaccination will see more babies infected with the virus
On 5 December 2025 it was reported that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Acip) voted 8-3 to back "individual-based decision-making" on whether to vaccinate babies born to mothers who have tested negative for hepatitis B.
In the United States, Acip is responsible for making recommendations on vaccination to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hepatitis B is a virus spread through blood and body fluids, it can be transmitted through sex if you do not wear a condom or dam, but can also be passed on through sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes, or through transfusions of unscreened blood.
Those infected can have no symptoms or symptoms including a high temperature, tiredness, stomach pain, and a raised itchy rash. Left untreated, individuals can develop chronic hepatitis that can cause liver damage, while infection also leads to an increased risk of liver cancer.
Pregnant mothers who are infected can pass it on to their unborn babies. Vaccination is the best way to protect babies from infection and in England is given shortly after birth as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine.
Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush, Assistant Professor of Global Health & Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said:
"It is not unusual for routine immunisation schedules to be updated following evaluations of risk, epidemiology, or cost/benefit analysis. Babies in England are currently recommended the 6-in-1 vaccine, which protects against hepatitis, at 8, 12, and 16 weeks old, but changes to the routine immunisation schedule in England implemented in July 2025 mean 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 US, 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."
Beate Kampmann, Professor of Paediatric Immunity and Infection at LSHTM said:
"Protecting newborns from hepatitis B by administering the vaccine at birth has been a safe and highly effective strategy. By abolishing this option, sadly more babies born in the US will be infected with this virus that is also associated with liver cancer."
This article is a rapid reaction to a breaking news story
