Kennedy's selected CDC advisors to consider significant alteration to childhood vaccine schedule

The schedule for childhood vaccinations in the United States may undergo significant updates, as advisers selected by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are expected to review the timing of hepatitis B vaccines for newborns and reassess established immunization practices. Any adjustment to the hepatitis B schedule would mark the most substantial modification under Kennedy, a long-time vaccine critic now serving as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Earlier this year, Kennedy abruptly dismissed all 17 members of the CDCs independent vaccine advisory panel, replacing them with his own appointments. Since then, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has experienced shifts in priorities and procedures, leading to unpredictable meetings and decisions that could impact access to vaccines and diverge from historically data-driven guidance.

This weeks ACIP sessions offer limited information about presenters or specific topics. Thursday will focus on whether to delay hepatitis B vaccination, currently recommended immediately after birth. Friday will cover vaccine ingredients and timing, but no votes are scheduled. Supporting documents and proposed voting language have not been published ahead of the meetings.

ACIP recommendations play a critical role in shaping medical advice, state vaccine policies, insurance coverage, and the Vaccines for Children program. Recent actions by the committee include endorsing thimerosal-free vaccines and suggesting the separation of the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox shot while planning to revisit previously settled vaccine science.

Leadership changes have also occurred. Dr. Martin Kulldorff, the former committee chair, has moved to another HHS role, with Dr. Kirk Milhoan, a cardiologist known for criticizing the COVID-19 vaccine, taking over as chair. These changes coincide with an FDA announcement of a new vaccine approval process requiring stronger evidence of safety and effectiveness before marketing.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Debate

The rationale behind delaying the hepatitis B vaccine remains unclear. Hepatitis B poses serious risks, as the virus can remain dormant for years and lead to liver failure, cirrhosis, or cancer. Since the CDCs 1991 recommendation for universal infant vaccination, cases among babies have dropped dramaticallyfrom roughly 18,000 annually to about 20 per year.

Critics of the birth dose argue it is unnecessary because hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through contaminated needles or sexual activity. Kennedy has questioned the practice, suggesting financial motives. Health experts, however, emphasize the importance of early vaccination to protect infants from exposure from parents, family, or caregivers who may carry the virus unknowingly.

Dr. Anthony Fiore, a former CDC infectious disease physician, highlighted the opportunity to prevent a serious disease in infants: You have this opportunity to prevent a disease very easily that has very serious long-term consequences. Theres kind of no going back.

Personal Story Highlights Risks

John Ellis Jr. was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B at age 16, having been born shortly before the birth dose became standard. Despite receiving a vaccine later in childhood, he contracted the virus early in life. Elliss experience illustrates the potential lifelong consequences of missing early vaccination, including liver damage and chronic illness.

Before universal vaccination, infants depended on maternal testing during pregnancy for protection, but results were often incomplete or unavailable. Many children, like Ellis, became infected early, leading to severe health challenges. I thought that I was not going to survive it, Ellis recalled. Despite ongoing treatment, he now lives a generally healthy life and advocates for early vaccination.

Potential Consequences of Delay

A preprint modeling study presented ahead of the ACIP meeting suggests even a short delay in the birth dose could result in increased infections, long-term health complications, and deaths. Delaying vaccination to 2 months for babies with negative or unknown maternal hepatitis B status could lead to over 1,400 preventable infections and 480 deaths annually. A 12-year delay could produce nearly 2,700 infections and 800 deaths each year. Even with perfect adherence to later vaccinations, infections and fatalities would still rise, along with significant healthcare costs.

Dr. Eric Hall, lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of universal infant vaccination: Universal infant vaccination has been the cornerstone of hepatitis B elimination efforts for decades. Weve made a lot of good progress, and its important not to undo it now.

Ellis, now 35, continues to live actively while managing his condition. He stresses the importance of accessible vaccination at birth, stating that parents should be informed about hepatitis B risks. I would much rather vaccination be available at birth than to have someone else live the experience that Ive lived. Im a living, breathing example of what the risks are.

Author: Gavin Porter