New CDC Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendations for Newborns: What Families and VICP Claimants Should Know
In December 2025, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to change a long-standing recommendation: instead of advising that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, the committee now recommends the birth dose only for infants whose mothers test positive for hepatitis B or whose status is unknown. For babies born to mothers who test negative, the new guidance suggests parents and healthcare providers should decide together whether and when to vaccinate, with the option to delay the first dose until at least two months of age.
What Prompted the Change?
This shift comes after more than three decades of universal newborn hepatitis B vaccination in the United States—a policy credited with dramatically reducing hepatitis B infections and related complications in children. The ACIP’s new approach is rooted in the idea of “individualized decision-making,” with some committee members expressing concerns about vaccine safety and advocating for more parental choice. The change has been met with strong opposition from leading medical organizations.
Medical Community Pushback
Major medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Medical Association (AMA), have publicly rejected the new recommendations. They emphasize that the universal birth dose has been a critical tool in preventing hepatitis B transmission and its serious consequences, such as chronic infection and liver cancer. Many pediatricians and hospitals have announced they will continue to follow the AAP’s guidance and recommend the vaccine for all newborns, regardless of the ACIP’s vote.
Legal and VICP Implications
For families and practitioners involved in Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) cases, it’s important to note that the hepatitis B vaccine remains covered under the VICP. This means that families who believe their child was injured by the vaccine may file a claim. The vaccine remains part of the federal compensation program. Statements suggesting otherwise are not supported by current law or policy.
What Should Parents Do?
Given the conflicting recommendations, parents may feel uncertain about the best course of action. The consensus among pediatricians and public health experts remains clear: the hepatitis B vaccine at birth is safe, effective, and a proven means of protecting children from a potentially life-threatening disease. Parents are encouraged to have open conversations with their healthcare providers and to consider the longstanding evidence supporting universal newborn vaccination.
The recent ACIP vote represents a significant change in federal vaccine policy, but it has not altered the legal protections or compensation mechanisms available to families. As always, families should seek advice from trusted medical professionals and legal counsel familiar with vaccine law and the VICP.
Contact a Vaccine Injury Lawyer Today
At Texas Vaccine Lawyers, a Division of The Greenwood Law Firm, we help clients navigate the VICP claims process to seek justice for vaccine-related injuries. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
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