A baby getting vaccinated (Photo – pixnio)
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) has reaffirmed its commitment to universal hepatitis B vaccination for newborns, following a recent vote by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that could potentially change birth-dose vaccine recommendations.
By News Desk
While the ACIP is considering a selective, risk-based vaccination approach, LACDPH will continue to follow the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) guidelines, which recommend that all infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
This decision comes in light of the continued success of the universal hepatitis B birth-dose program, which has been a cornerstone of perinatal hepatitis B prevention in the U.S. for over three decades. In Los Angeles County, the vaccine has played a crucial role in reducing perinatal hepatitis B infections, with only one case recorded in the past five years.
“This vaccine strategy is one of the key reasons why hepatitis B transmission rates have significantly decreased in our county and across the nation,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “It protects all newborns, even those who might slip through the cracks in prenatal screening, and has contributed greatly to our progress toward the eventual elimination of hepatitis B as a major public health threat.”
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. Without vaccination, infants born with hepatitis B are at high risk of developing chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and early death. The universal birth-dose vaccination has proven effective in preventing these severe, long-term health consequences.
For more than 35 years, the U.S. has implemented the birth-dose vaccine, leading to dramatic reductions in hepatitis B infections among newborns and young children. The vaccine is safe, with minimal risks, such as mild reactions at the injection site or low-grade fever. This protection ensures that infants are shielded from hepatitis B, even before symptoms appear.
Los Angeles County’s public health data underscores the program’s success. “Through the partnership between public health, healthcare providers, and parents, we’ve been able to reduce perinatal hepatitis B incidence to record lows,” Ferrer said. “Switching to a selective vaccination approach would undermine this progress and introduce new health risks.”
Many experts view the potential shift away from universal vaccination as a step backward in the fight against hepatitis B. A risk-based vaccination policy could leave gaps in prenatal screening, putting newborns at risk of a preventable, lifelong infection. It could also disproportionately affect low-income and underserved communities, where healthcare access remains limited, further exacerbating existing health disparities.
Experts warn that narrowing vaccination eligibility could lead to an increase in hepatitis B cases, higher healthcare costs, and greater long-term burdens from treating liver disease and cancer in those who were not vaccinated at birth. Public health officials argue that universal vaccination provides a simple, clear, and effective strategy to ensure all newborns are protected, regardless of their background or circumstances.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health remains steadfast in advocating for evidence-based vaccination policies and will continue to provide families with the information and resources needed to make informed healthcare decisions. Parents are encouraged to discuss the hepatitis B vaccine with their healthcare providers to ensure the health and safety of their newborns.
For more information, visit the Public Health website and follow the department’s social media channels for the latest updates.
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