Statement from J. Nadine Gracia, M.D., MSCE, President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Vote to Change Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendations

(Washington DC – December 5, 2025) – “The ACIP’s vote today to recommend delaying administration of the hepatitis B vaccine for most infants moves the U.S. away from an evidence-based vaccine policy that has saved countless lives. The universal hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine has reduced hepatitis B cases among children and adolescents by 99 percent and prevented more than ninety thousand childhood deaths. The new recommendations were made with little transparency on the reasoning behind the decision, and no new evidence was presented during the meeting to explain the change. That process undermines public trust, causes confusion and threatens our nation’s health.

The universal hepatitis B birth-dose has prevented millions of hepatitis B infections in people of all ages since its introduction – a disease that can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure, and premature death. Decades of research and surveillance have demonstrated that hepatitis B vaccines are safe and effective for newborns. Delaying or otherwise hindering access to this vaccine leaves infants at higher risk for infection and could have lifelong impacts on those children and their families.”

For more information, please refer to TFAH’s public comment here.