Health
Wisconsin defies federal advisers and reaffirms support for hepatitis B vaccine for newborns
Wisconsin health officials say all babies should. Have been vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth, despite recent changes in federal vaccine advisors.
Last week, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended If the mother tests positive for the virus or if the mother's status is unknown, the infant will receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. The advisory, addressed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says women who test negative for the virus should talk to their doctors about the vaccine.
Dr. Ryan Westergaard, chief medical officer for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, said Thursday that decades of evidence supports hepatitis B vaccination as a safe and effective strategy to protect infants.
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“Headlines convey mixed messages, which can confuse parents. The important thing to know is that the science hasn't changed,” Westergaard said on a call with reporters.
That's why DHS issued guidance On Thursday, it reminded Wisconsin health care providers that all infants must be vaccinated within 24 hours of birth and complete three doses within 18 months of age.
Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection that affects the liver and can cause lifelong illnesses such as liver failure and cancer. up to 90 percent A proportion of infected infants develop chronic liver disease. However, adults may be asymptomatic even if infected. about half Percentage of people with hepatitis B who do not know they have the virus.
Since universal birth dose recommendations were adopted in the 1990s, hepatitis B infections in children have decreased by 99 percent, Westergaard said. He said there were zero newborn cases in Wisconsin last year, and the state has had zero to two cases a year for the past 10 years.
“This success reflects a simple and reliable approach that aims to protect all babies, even when screening and follow-up fail completely in the real world,” Westergaard told reporters.
Just over three-quarters of infants in Wisconsin received a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine last year, according to DHS data. 83% of 2-year-olds in the state had received the entire three-dose series.
Despite the changes being discussed at the federal level, Westergaard said he does not expect the availability of the shot to be affected. He said vaccines should continue to be covered by insurance and pediatric vaccine programs for uninsured children should continue.
“The evidence hasn't changed, so the practice shouldn't either,” Westergaard said. “As I said, there should be no new barriers to getting funding for vaccines, so we want to get the word out to continue this successful program.”
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, University of Wisconsin System Board of Governors and Wisconsin Educational Communications Commission.
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