MDH recommends hepatitis B vaccine at birth, despite change in federal guidance

A federal vaccine advisory committee has voted to end the longstanding recommendation that all babies get the hepatitis B vaccine on the day they’re born. The committee decided to recommend the birth dose only for babies whose mothers test positive for hep B, and in cases where the mom wasn’t tested. Otherwise, parents can wait until their baby is two months old. Public health leaders have criticized the action, pointing to evidence that the vaccine has successfully prevented thousands of illnesses and no documented evidence of harm from the birth doses. Joining Minnesota Now to explain what this means for vaccine access for babies in Minnesota is Dr. Ruth Lynfield, the Minnesota Department of Health state epidemiologist.