Statement from the Northeast Public Health Collaborative In Response to ACIP’s Hepatitis B Votes

"The Northeast Public Health Collaborative reaffirms our hepatitis B recommendations for infants and children and confirms the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) votes do not change vaccination practices within our member jurisdictions. 

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 still receive the vaccine within 12 hours of birth. 

Additionally, all children should still complete the full vaccination series within 18 months. The Collaborative does not recommend use of a serology test to determine whether the full vaccine series should be given since there are no data to support that serology is a good indicator of lifelong protection after one dose. 

These recommendations align with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and reflect a previously released scientific consensus statement from the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. 

As always, we encourage individuals to consult with qualified health care professionals 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."

Posted by the New Jersey Department of Health on behalf of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative