A group of political appointees could soon reverse one of the most successful public health policies in U.S. history.

For over 30 years, the hepatitis B vaccine has been routinely given to newborns within 24 hours of birth—a practice that has reduced childhood hepatitis B infections by more than 99%.

The virus, which can silently pass from mother to baby during delivery, leads to chronic liver disease and early death in up to 90% of exposed infants.

Now, CDC advisers—recently installed by political figures with a history of casting doubt on childhood vaccines—are considering scrapping that recommendation altogether.

There is no scientific reason to reverse course. A review of more than 400 studies shows no evidence of serious health risks. But there is overwhelming proof that the newborn vaccine saves lives: preventing millions of infections and nearly 1 million hospitalizations.

This isn’t about informed choice. It’s about removing a trusted recommendation that hospitals, pediatricians, and parents rely on to keep newborns safe—especially in cases where mothers may not know they are infected or may not have had access to prenatal care.

We call on the CDC and U.S. Health and Human Services leadership to:

• Maintain the universal recommendation to vaccinate all newborns for hepatitis B within 24 hours
• Reject any effort to delay or eliminate this recommendation based on politics, not science
• Reinforce public trust by standing with the American Academy of Pediatrics and pediatric infectious disease experts.

Our country cannot afford to reopen the door to hepatitis B in children. This vaccine has protected generations of newborns—and its removal could put thousands of lives at risk.

Protect them. They save lives. Keep the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.