"An influential vaccine panel that was due to vote on whether to change recommendations for hepatitis B vaccines for infants has postponed its vote after the day's deliberations fell into confusion and disarray on Thursday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was scheduled to rule on recommendations for the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, but several panel members seemed confused as to what they were voting on. The ballot is now set to take place on Friday."
"Under current recommendations, all babies receive the first of three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine hours after they are born. The policy, instituted in 1991, has dramatically reduced childhood cases of the disease in the U.S. ACIP appears to be considering three possible votes, including to make the birth dose optional for infants born to pregnant people who tested negative for the hepatitis B virus."
ACIP postponed a planned vote on changing newborn hepatitis B vaccine recommendations after deliberations became confused and disorganized. Several panel members appeared unsure about what they were voting on, prompting the ballot to be moved to Friday. The committee is considering making the birth dose optional for infants born to pregnant people who tested negative for hepatitis B, which would require a parental discussion with a health care provider. Current policy, instituted in 1991, recommends a birth dose hours after birth and has dramatically reduced childhood hepatitis B cases in the U.S. Observers noted apparent lack of expertise among presenters and committee members.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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