"The major point of discussion was the hepatitis B birth dose of the vaccine. So this has historically been, since 1991, a three-dose regimen that typically begins hours after birth, regardless of whether or not a parent has tested positive or negative for the virus that causes this disease. So after a lot of heated discussion and deliberations and tabling this vote twice, first in September and again this past Thursday,"
"And finally, after a lot of discussion and contention, the ACIP members also passed a second vote to recommend that parents discuss the subsequent doses of that three-dose regimen with a health care provider based on blood tests of the newborn's immunity levelsthose are the protective antibody titers. It's important to note that we have a lot of data and studies that clearly demonstrate the previous three-dose regimen beginning at birth helped drastically reduce cases of childhood hepatitis B;"
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met to vote on hepatitis B newborn vaccination guidance. Since 1991 the standard has been a three-dose regimen typically beginning hours after birth regardless of maternal infection status. Following heated deliberations and two postponed votes, the panel recommended that if the birthing parent tests negative, parents should consult a health-care provider about when to give the first dose. The panel also recommended discussing subsequent doses based on newborn antibody titers measured by blood tests. Past data show the birth-starting regimen drastically reduced childhood hepatitis B in the U.S.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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