Hepatitis B (HBV) cases decreased by 99% since 1991 when the vaccine schedule beginning at birth commenced. The vaccine nearly eliminated pediatric hepatitis B. That is something worth repeating. The vaccine and the schedule it is delivered upon has nearly eliminated pediatric hepatitis. This information alone is strong enough to make one question the CDC’s recent change in policy.
The present CDC advisory committee voted to change the advice on the hepatitis B vaccine series for children. Seventeen well qualified members of the previous advisory committee were fired and replaced with members lacking medical education and experience. Several of whom are very vocal about their distrust of vaccines for non-scientific reasons. There are no new studies, research, scientific evidence, recommendations or change in incidence of pediatric hepatitis cases to warrant such a change.
The vaccine has little or no side effects of concern. Most common is injection site redness and pain as well as a low grade fever. Its only contraindication is if one has an allergy to yeast or other vaccine ingredients. The present vaccine schedule is as follows: the first is given within the first 24 hrs after birth, the second at 1-2 months old and the third at 6-18 months of age.
There is however plenty of evidence that the vaccine is safe and effective. Despite that, the committee voted to change their recommendation that babies don’t need a dose of hepatitis B vaccine within the first 24 hours after birth.
Hepatitis B is a highly contagious, incurable viral infection transmitted via body fluids. Most people associate it with blood transfusions and drug users. More accurately, 50% of infections are transmitted from mother to infant at birth. Ninety percent of these infants will develop chronic infection and 25% will die prematurely. The acute infection results in chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. It is the leading cause of liver cancer.
Hepatitis symptoms may include anorexia, nausea, jaundice, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, fatigue, fever, rash and joint pain.
HBV is a global public health problem. There are an estimated 250 million carriers with nine hundred thousand people dying annually of HBV liver disease worldwide. Yearly 25,00 infants are born to carriers. Ninety percent of these babies will have acute hepatitis B if not vaccinated.
Public health and infectious disease experts say the newly proposed delay in the first vaccine after birth will lead to more hep B infections in children. Don’t these children deserve a voice guided by evidence based research to make decisions that will protect their health and life?
Review of the vaccine shows consistent evidence that it is safe and effective. HBV immunization before exposure is the most effective means of preventing transmission from mother to infant. This is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy for Study of Liver Diseases and the World Health Organization.
Thimerosal, an ingredient used as a preservative to prevent microbial contamination of vaccines was a cause of concern for many people who oppose vaccines. A type of mercury different from the toxic kind found in fish is an ingredient in thimerosal. Many large, scientific studies have been done resulting in evidence that thimerosal is safe in low doses and does not cause autism or neurodevelopmental disorders. An extra-precautionary measure was taken in 1999 to remove thimerosal from routine childhood vaccines. This was accomplished by 2001.
The committee is recommending individual screening and testing. This was used widely and unsuccessfully in the past. There were abundant missed cases. Some women didn’t ever get tested. Some tested early in pregnancy but this does provide an accurate picture of their status at delivery. Many false negatives occur. Miscommunication between facilities happens often — if a woman is tested at one facility and gives birth at another. This plan did not produce the significant decrease in the disease that the highly successful vaccine series did.
The decision must still be approved by the CDC director. The most current CDC director is Jim O’Neill named by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the end of August. The previous director was ousted after a conflict with Kennedy over scientific integrity and vaccine policy. Jim O’Neill has degrees in humanities and a background in tech/government. No medical or scientific education or experience.
And here’s where I jump in with some plan, small or grandiose to address this issue. All I can think of is knowledge is power. The more people that understand and share the facts and scientific evidence to protect our children, the better chance we have to keep our future generations alive and healthy. I for one, hope for my grandchildren a future where diseases proven preventable remain preventable.
Take care of yourself and someone else.
Juanita Carnes is a nurse practitioner with 38 years of experience in a hospital emergency department and urgent care facilities. She served 30 years on the Board of Health in Westfield, Massachusetts.
