Health Secretary's advisers scrap routine birth doses for low-risk infants, prompting urgent CDC review.
Washington, D.C. – December 8, 2025 – Advisers to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommended delaying the hepatitis B vaccine for most newborns on Sunday, a sharp departure from long-standing CDC guidelines. The policy shift, outlined in a leaked memo, targets only high-risk cases for immediate shots, leaving others for later visits. Pediatric organizations swiftly condemned the move, calling it a threat to infant health amid rising infection concerns.
Breaking Details: The Memo and Its Immediate Rollout
The three-page advisory, dated December 6, instructs hospitals to hold off on the birth dose unless mothers test positive for the virus, according to sources who spoke to NPR. Early reports from federal health channels indicate the change applies to programs like Vaccines for Children, impacting up to 3.5 million annual doses. Officials confirmed no stockpiles were affected, but implementation guidance for providers is expected within 48 hours.
The panel's 8-5 vote followed a closed-door session Thursday, where dissenters walked out, per participant accounts.
Official Statements: Kennedy's Defense Meets Medical Fury
Kennedy described the update as "restoring parental trust in informed consent," in a Sunday morning statement on X, viewed over 150,000 times. "This isn't anti-vaccine—it's pro-science," he added, per the post. HHS spokesperson Rachel Levine reiterated that catch-up doses at two months remain fully covered.
The American Academy of Pediatrics fired back in a joint release with the Infectious Diseases Society of America, labeling it "reckless and evidence-free." AAP President Moira Szilagyi warned of potential outbreaks, citing data from risk-based systems abroad.
Why This Matters: A Potential Spike in Chronic Cases
Hepatitis B, transmitted at birth in 90% of chronic U.S. infections among children, leads to liver cancer in 25% of cases without early vaccination, per CDC estimates. The delay could widen gaps in underserved communities, where prenatal screening lags at 85%, according to a 2025 KFF survey. With 850,000 carriers nationwide, experts fear a 10-15% uptick in pediatric transmissions if uptake dips.
It also strains post-COVID vaccine confidence, already at 70% for infant schedules, per Gallup.
Background: Kennedy's Skepticism Shapes Federal Health
Kennedy's confirmation in November, by a 51-49 Senate vote, came with pledges to "re-examine mandates." His 2005 article questioning vaccine safety set the tone, though cleared of misinformation in 2024 fact-checks. The universal birth dose, mandated since 1991, has cut U.S. cases by 95%, saving an estimated 20,000 lives.
Similar pilots in the UK showed 82% compliance but higher rural misses.
Current Situation: Clinics Pause, Legal Clouds Gather
Monday clinics across 15 states reported holding doses pending state health directives, per a Red Cross hotline log. The CDC, under Director Jim O'Neill, has 30 days for approval but plans emergency webinars Tuesday. Insurers like UnitedHealthcare confirmed coverage continuity.
The AAP announced a lawsuit filing for Tuesday, seeking an injunction.
Public Response: Social Media Divide and Parental Panic
X erupted with #HepBChoice, reaching 300,000 posts by noon ET, split between cheers for "freedom" and horror stories of family infections. Parent forums on Reddit saw 5,000 new threads, many seeking alternatives. Influencers like Dr. Peter Hotez, a vaccine advocate, garnered 500,000 views debunking "neonatal overload" claims.
Gallup's flash poll showed 58% of parents opposing the change.
Expert Analysis: Weighing Data Against Doubt
Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, Stanford pediatrician, told CNN the move ignores "decades of robust trials," estimating 2,000 extra chronic cases yearly. Panel member Dr. Robert Malone countered on his podcast, citing "underreported mild reactions" in infants.
A 2025 Lancet review affirmed the dose's safety profile.
Conclusion: Infants in the Crosshairs of Policy Pivot
Kennedy's hep B delay tests the balance between choice and coverage. As memos turn to mandates, the coming weeks will reveal if reform heals or harms America's youngest.
