US ends universal newborn Hepatitis B vaccine
Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported Dec 05, 2025 · Last updated Dec 06, 2025
The reversal of the universal hepatitis B vaccine recommendation by the United States — Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is expected to negatively impact public health in the United States, potentially leading to increased Hepatitis B infections. This could affect the healthcare and insurance industries, as federal guidelines often dictate vaccine coverage. Pharmaceutical companies like Merck & Co. and GSK plc, which produce hepatitis B vaccines, saw their stock prices decline, while Sanofi's shares rose slightly.
An advisory panel, the United States — Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has voted to end the decades-old recommendation for universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth in the United States. This decision, passed by an 8-3 vote, shifts policy towards 'individual-based decision-making' for infants born to mothers testing negative for the virus. The move has been widely condemned by medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, who warn it will lead to a resurgence of Hepatitis B infections among infants and children due to shortcomings in maternal health screening and other infection risks. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. overhauled the ACIP earlier this year, replacing its members with vaccine-skeptic figures. President Donald Trump supported the decision, while some Republicans, like Senator Bill Cassidy, opposed it. The United States — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to formally adopt these recommendations, which will impact health insurance coverage and public health guidance. Vaccine makers Merck & Co. and GSK plc saw their shares decline, while Sanofi's shares increased.
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