Vaccine Panel Attacks Children’s Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today’s decision by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to end the recommendation for a universal birth dose of Hepatitis B vaccine and its attempts to cast doubt on the whole childhood vaccine schedule constitute a reckless, dangerous move away from science and evidence-based policy, Defend Public Health said today.

The birth dose of Hepatitis B vaccine was first recommended by the CDC in 1991 after careful consideration. Research had shown that there were gaps in screening for HBV during pregnancy, leaving thousands of children unvaccinated and therefore vulnerable to lifelong chronic illnesses, including liver damage, caused by HBV.

“This meeting was a circus of ignorance and incompetence,” said epidemiologist and Defend Public Health Coordinating Committee member Elizabeth Jacobs. “The vaccination schedule we have now is strongly supported by scientific data. The price for sowing doubts about it will be paid in dead children.

“We have 30 years of evidence showing that routine infant vaccination for Hepatitis B is safe and effective. This program has reduced pediatric Hep B cases by 99% since it was implemented,” Jacobs added. “Ending routine infant Hepatitis B vaccination will mean a completely preventable increase in infections, sentencing children who had no choice in the matter to lifelong illness, serious liver damage and death.”

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Defend Public Health is a volunteer-driven network of public health researchers, healthcare workers, advocates and allies fighting to protect the health of all from the Trump administration's cruel attacks on proven, science-based public health policies. We believe that everyone has the right to what they need for a healthy life, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.
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