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CDC officially ends universal newborn hepatitis B vaccination, following recent ACIP vote

December 17, 2025

CDC has officially adopted a risk-based approach to hepatitis B vaccination for infants, ending its universal birth dose recommendation in place since 1991. The decision follows a vote earlier this month by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advised limiting the birth dose to newborns of mothers who test positive for hepatitis B or whose infection status is unknown. For infants of hepatitis B-negative mothers, vaccination is now deferred and left to parental choice in consultation with clinicians, with the first dose recommended no earlier than two months if parents choose to opt in later. The move has drawn criticism from infectious disease experts, who warn it may reduce vaccine uptake and increase infection risk. Since the implementation of routine infant vaccination, U.S. hepatitis B infection rates have dropped by nearly 90%, significantly reducing a major contributor to chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sources:

(2025, December 17). Reuters. US CDC ends guidance that all newborns should get hepatitis B vaccine, in major policy shift. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-cdc-accepts-advisers-recommendations-hepatitis-b-vaccine-major-policy-shift-2025-12-16/

Braun, S. (2025, December 16). The Guardian. CDC ends recommendation for all US newborns to receive hepatitis B vaccine. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/16/hepatitis-b-vaccine-cdc