Recommendations issued by Kennedy's advisory group suggest stricter regulations for MMRV immunizations
The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has postponed a decision on changing the timing of hepatitis B vaccine administration to newborns, maintaining support for vaccination shortly after birth. The committee, which comprises public health experts and federal health agencies, made the recommendation during their recent meeting.
Dr. Robert Malone, a committee member, stated that concerns about the hepatitis B vaccine are not about safety but about trust and informed consent. Some who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting did not see the need for a change in the hepatitis B vaccine recommendation.
The ACIP, which makes recommendations to the CDC director on how already-approved vaccines should be used, has been in discussions on the MMRV vaccine, which protects against chickenpox as well as measles, mumps, and rubella. Discussions focused largely on rare instances of feverish seizures associated with the first dose that is currently given to kids between ages 1 and 2. In a significant move, the panel voted 8-1, with three abstentions, to keep MMRV covered for kids as young as 12 months under the Vaccines for Children program. The panel advised that the MMRV vaccine should not be given before age 4 and that children in this age group should instead receive separate vaccines - one against MMR and another for varicella, or chickenpox.
The committee's Chairman, Martin Kulldorff, defended the group against accusations of leaning toward anti-vaccine views, stating, "The members of this ACIP Committee are committed to reassuring the public and restoring public confidence by removing unnecessary risks and harms whenever possible."
Looking ahead, the ACIP is expected to decide whether to recommend that some babies can wait a month for hepatitis B shots on Friday. The committee will also make COVID-19 vaccine recommendations on the same day.
In other news, Wisconsin has joined a list of more than a dozen states that have taken steps to ensure vaccine access. In recent weeks, several states have announced policies to help residents maintain access to vaccines, including signing orders that ensure COVID-19 vaccinations at pharmacies without individual prescriptions.
The hepatitis B vaccine, first licensed in the U.S. in 1981, saw a significant decrease in cases among infants following the 2005 recommendation. From 5,494 cases per year in 2005, hepatitis B cases among infants fell to 2,214 cases in 2023.
Dr. Meissner expressed concern about avoiding the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 12 to 24 hours after birth, stating, "I'm not sure what we're gaining by avoiding that first dose." Dr. Flor Munoz-Rivas asked, "Is there really a reason that the committee can provide for making a change?" Committee member Dr. Evelyn Griffin questioned whether giving hepatitis B vaccines to all babies is necessary, stating, "Are we asking our babies to solve an adult problem?"
The AAP and some other groups have issued their own vaccination recommendations that disagree with recommendations put out by federal officials this year. As the ACIP continues to deliberate on these issues, public health remains a top priority for the committee and the CDC.
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