NJ Acting Health Commissioner and Northeast Public Health Collaborative Issue Statement Recommending Birth Dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine

"Every new parent wants their baby to thrive. Hepatitis B is a serious risk and can cause lifelong health complications. We can protect against these risks by vaccinating babies during the delivery hospitalization at the very beginning of their lives. The hepatitis B vaccine at birth has saved millions of people from developing chronic liver disease, and it's why pediatricians have recommended this vaccination schedule since 1991." – Jeffrey A. Brown, Acting Health Commissioner

Statement from the Northeast Public Health Collaborative:

"The Northeast Public Health Collaborative (“the Collaborative”) has reviewed the relevant scientific literature and medical professional guidance related to the hepatitis B vaccine among newborns.

"The Collaborative continues to recommend that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine birth dose within 24 hours of delivery. Newborns born to birth parents who test positive for hepatitis B infection or have an unknown status should be vaccinated within 12 hours of birth. Additionally, all children should complete the full vaccination series within 18 months.

"These recommendations align with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and reflect a consensus statement from the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. We hope the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will join us in these recommendations.

"We encourage the public to consult with qualified health care professionals and clinicians and rely on trusted medical sources when making decisions about their health or the health of their children. We also urge caution in sharing or acting on unverified health claims.

"The Northeast Public Health Collaborative is a voluntary coalition of public health agencies working together to share expertise, improve coordination, enhance capacity, strengthen regional readiness, and protect evidence-based public health in our jurisdictions."