Hello NAP Families,
You have likely seen reports in the news about the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) changing their previous recommendation for universal Hepatitis B vaccination at birth. This recommendation is not founded in scientific evidence and will likely lead to increased cases of Hepatitis B and deadly liver disease in the coming generations if adopted. Fortunately, Massachusetts Department of Public Health remains committed to following evidence-based practices and is not changing their recommendations, instead remaining aligned with the American Academy of Pediatrics and many other medical societies in continuing to recommend the Hepatitis B vaccine series to be started at birth (1*).
We often get questions from families about why newborns need the Hepatitis B vaccine when they are likely low risk for this disease so early in life. In fact, before universal Hepatitis B vaccination was adopted in 1991, there were many thousands of cases of transmission to newborns despite universal screening of mothers for the disease. False negative test results, inadequate prenatal care, and household contact transmission were all factors in newborns being infected. When universal vaccination of newborns for Hepatitis B began, the incidence of transmission of Hepatitis B to newborns dropped by 99%, from over 16,000 per year to less than 20 cases annually! (2*) Further, newborns who contract hepatitis B are much more likely (90%) to develop chronic liver disease than those who get infected later in life.
We would also like to remind parents that the goal of vaccination is to achieve the most protective lifelong immunity possible against serious illnesses regardless of when we think a child might come in contact with the disease. The newborn immune system is incredibly active and able to create a robust response to vaccines making it the ideal time to establish these immunologic protections. It has also been shown through countless studies over many decades to be safe to give vaccines on the previously well-established CDC recommended schedule. Varying from this schedule is truly wandering into no-mans-land and giving infants and children vaccines in a way that has not been tested for safety or efficacy. For this reason, NAP is committed to continue providing vaccines based on what science has shown to be the safest and most effective way to protect our children.
Finally, in response to the CDC webpage posting a statement again suggesting that vaccines may be a cause of autism – this is FALSE and has been disproven time and again
in extensive scientific studies over many decades. Spreading of this misinformation is harmful to our children and to the public health of the global community. NAP will continue to stand up against this misinformation and encourages all our families to seek evidence-based information on vaccines through the AAP at this time (3*).
If you have any other questions on this topic, all of our providers are happy to answer these at your upcoming visits or, if the question is more urgent, through a portal message conversation.
We hope you are all looking forward to a wonderful holiday season with those you love,
Northampton Area Pediatrics
*Publications/References: