Title: Kennedy Hepatitis B Plan Raises Chronic Infection Risk
Content: Ending universal newborn hepatitis B immunization, as recommended by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., would sharply increase chronic infections and put over half of Americans at risk by age 20, according to a new study. Published in Annals of Internal Medicine, the research modeled the impact of changing vaccination policy on the 3.6 million infants born annually. Modeling shows that vaccinating at 2 months instead of birth would increase chronic infections by 19 percent, from 255 to 303 cases per year. Switching to a shared clinical decision-making approach would increase infections by 83 percent, to 467 cases yearly, and result in more than 50 percent of children entering adulthood susceptible to infection. Dr. Amir Mohareb led the study, which found that delaying vaccination until two months would add $16.4 million in medical costs yearly. The findings are consistent with two other studies in JAMA Pediatrics. A federal judge temporarily blocked the implementation of the December and January recommendations in March, restoring the universal birth dose guideline from the CDC, though the lawsuit continues. Dr. Noele P. Nelson warned that ending universal vaccination could lead to increased chronic hepatitis B infections. Dr. José Romero noted that while the increase in new cases per year might seem small initially, infections would quickly accumulate, greatly increasing risk for the unvaccinated. The Department of Health and Human Services did not comment on the study results.
FAQ Q: What would be the impact of ending universal newborn hepatitis B immunization?
FAQ A: Ending universal newborn hepatitis B immunization would sharply increase chronic infections and put over half of Americans at risk of the disease by age 20, according to a new study. Modeling shows vaccination at 2 months instead of birth would increase chronic infections by 19 percent, and a shared decision-making approach would increase infections by 83 percent, resulting in more than 50 percent of children entering adulthood susceptible to infection.
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