Obstacles to Immunization in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Infant Hepatitis B Vaccination Is Necessary, Saves LivesFact Check
Your browser is not supportedusatoday.Comusatoday.Com wants to ensure the best experience for all of our readers, so we built our site to take advantage of the latest technology, making it faster and easier to use.
Unfortunately, your browser is not supported. Please download one of these browsers for the best experience on usatoday.Com
RFK Jr., CDC Panel Have Been Casting Doubt On The Hepatitis B Vaccine. Here's Why It's Safe
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And the members of his newly appointed vaccine panel are casting doubt on the hepatitis B vaccine and the established practice of vaccinating newborns.
Last week, during the first meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) since Kennedy removed all the previous sitting members and appointed seven new members, the chair questioned whether it was "wise" to administer shots "to every newborn before leaving the hospital."
Martin Kulldorff, a former Harvard Medical School professor, said a new work group would discuss the practice.
MORE: Experts warn RFK Jr. Is unraveling the system that kept vaccines safe
Additionally, Kennedy claimed, without evidence, earlier this week during an interview with Tucker Carlson, that the CDC conducted a study that found the hepatitis B vaccine increases the risk of autism, and that researchers hid the results of the study from the public.
The HHS did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for the study that Kennedy referenced in his interview.
An infectious disease expert told ABC News that there is no evidence to suggest the hepatitis B vaccine is unsafe and that vaccinating babies at birth has been key to virtually eliminating the virus among children.
What is hepatitis B?Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, according to the CDC. The virus is transmitted from a person coming into contact with the blood, semen or other bodily fluid of someone who is infected.
Newborns might be infected through the process of birth or from casual contact, because the virus can survive in the environment for about a week, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, told ABC News.
A Twinrix syringe for the prophylaxis against hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus from a pharmacy.
Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images
Up to half of all older children, adolescents and adults have symptoms of acute hepatitis B. Most children younger than age 5, however, have no symptoms, the CDC said.
"Hepatitis B … causes inflammation in the liver …and that inflammation leads to the liver not working well at all," Chin-Hong said. "So that's cirrhosis and liver failure and, ultimately, also liver cancer. The longer you have hepatitis B, the higher the risk of cirrhosis or liver failure and liver cancer."
Acute hepatitis B infection, which is a short-term illness, can lead to a lifelong infection known as chronic hepatitis B, according to the CDC
Chin-Hong said that means if somebody is born with hepatitis B or infected as a child, they have a high chance of liver failure or liver cancer as an adult.
Benefits of vaccinationChin-Hong said the best way for someone to prevent hepatitis B and to protect themselves is by getting vaccinated.
The vaccine was first developed in the early 1980s. Depending on the vaccine brand, the hepatitis B vaccine is either a series of two or three shots, according to the CDC.
MORE: RFK Jr. Has questioned rising autism rates. Here's what experts say he gets wrong about the disorder
The childhood immunization schedule recommends babies be vaccinated at birth with a second dose between one and two months old and a potential third dose from 6 months to 15 months old.
"The more shots you get, the higher the chance the vaccine will take," Chin-Hong said. "If you get three shots, it's above 97% efficacy."
Popular Reads
8.8 magnitude quake latest: Volcano erupts in Russia, tsunami waves reach California
Mom brought kids to safety before she and husband stabbed to death on trail: Police
Bryan Kohberger updates: 1st police reports released following sentencing
In 1991, when the ACIP recommended universal vaccination for hepatitis B among infants to decrease transmission, there were 18,000 cases of hepatitis B in those under 10 years old in the U.S., according to the CDC.
Since then, cases have dramatically decreased. CDC data shows that in 2022, the rate of cases among those ages 19 was less than 0.1 per 100,000.
"It's very, very rare," Chin-Hong said. "So, we've had a big success, and the United States is a mirror for the rest of the world … 97% of countries now have a recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination in infants. It's really changed the face of not only infection and liver failure, but also liver cancer."
Why hepatitis B vaccination is safeDuring the ACIP meeting last week, Kulldorff implied that children receive too many vaccines nowadays compared to decades ago.
"The number of vaccines that our children and adolescents receive today exceeds what children in most other developed nations receive and what most of us in this room received when we were children," Kulldorff said.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Speaks during a news conference at the Department of Health and Human Services, April 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Chin-Hong said that by adding vaccines to the immunization schedule, children have more protection against diseases compared to 10 or even 20 years ago, and the makeup of vaccines is also different.
"The way that we're delivering the vaccines is very different," he said. "They're through smaller bits of the virus instead of the whole virus itself or bacteria. So, it means that infants are exposed to actually fewer antigens. Or parts of the virus or bacteria, with better vaccines."
The ACIP announcing that well-studied vaccines, like the hepatitis B vaccine, are going to be reanalyzed could make people think the initial approval process was unsafe, according to Chin-Hong.
As for Kennedy's claim, the HHS secretary has been a long-time vaccine skeptic who refused to say during his confirmation hearings earlier this year that vaccines don't cause autism despite many high-quality studies finding no such link.
"There's no evidence that the hepatitis B vaccine leads to autism or is a risk factor for autism, and that is unquestionable," Chin-Hong said.
ABC News' Youri Benadjaoud contributed to this report.
Immunization For Premature Babies: Types, Schedule, And Things To Watch Out For
"Is the immunization schedule for premature babies different from that for full-term babies?"
"Do premature babies need additional doses of general immunizations to optimize their body's protection from various diseases?"
"What medical conditions cause premature infant immunization to be postponed?"
These questions may be on your mind when giving birth to a premature baby. To learn more, read the summary below, Mom.
Immunization for Premature Babies: A Must for Parents to Know!More than 10 percent of babies are born prematurely, and this rate continues to rise worldwide. A premature baby is a baby born at less than 28 to 37 weeks of gestation – the number of very premature babies (preterm infants, less than 33 weeks of gestation) about 20 percent of the overall number of premature babies.
Compared to babies born at full term, premature babies receive fewer antibodies from their mothers through the placenta. Not only do they receive fewer antibodies, but the antibodies they do have also deactivate more quickly, requiring them to rely on their own immune system earlier.
Therefore, it is crucial to vaccinate premature babies to help them overcome the risk of potential diseases. So, what about low birth weight babies? Can immunizations be given to them? Of course, mothers, premature babies born with low birth weight (LBW) can also be immunized.
When can premature babies be immunized? According to general guidelines, premature babies should be vaccinated according to their chronological age, calculated from their date of birth—the same as full-term babies.
Based on experience, premature babies' bodies are able to respond well to vaccines, and produce their own antibodies from the vaccinations they receive.
There are some specific recommendations for premature babies regarding the hepatitis B and RSV vaccines. You can read more about these below.
The Purpose of Premature Infant Immunization is to Prevent This ConditionAlthough their immune systems are immature, premature babies generally respond well to vaccines. However, this immunocompetence also depends on prenatal maturation. As long as their health is medically stable and there are no contraindications to vaccination, vaccines are safe to administer.
Premature infants should receive vaccines according to the recommended schedule, without correction for prematurity, provided they are well and there are no contraindications.
In some cases, vaccinations are given late or delayed to premature babies due to concerns about potential side effects. However, vaccines are still safe and effective in premature babies.
In fact, if delayed, it can pose many risks to the baby. For example:
The following are several types of vaccines that premature babies must receive, as reported byNational Library of Medicine:
Babies typically receive the Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. Three additional doses are given at 2, 3, and 4 months of age.
If the mother is a carrier of the Hepatitis B virus (during pregnancy), it is important to administer this vaccine to the baby within 12 hours of birth to prevent transmission. The vaccine is given as a passive immunization (specific antibodies to the virus – HBIG) along with the active Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine.
However, the problem with premature babies is that they tend to have low birth weight. On the other hand, babies born weighing less than 2 kg or babies born at less than 32 weeks' gestation (regardless of their weight) do not respond as well to the Hepatitis B vaccine as full-term babies.
That is why premature babies who will receive the Hepatitis B vaccine must wait until they weigh 2 kg or are one month old (whichever is earlier).
Ensure your baby's health is stable and they are gaining weight consistently. The initial series of vaccines consists of two doses, one month apart.
2. PolioPolio often attacks children under the age of 5. This is an infectious disease caused by the polio virus, where the virus attacks the child's nervous system and leaves them paralyzed to the point of death.
Remind your pediatrician to give your child the Polio vaccine when he or she is over 2 months old and weighs over 2 kg.
3. BCG vaccineThis vaccine prevents tuberculosis (TB) in children, including premature babies. This vaccine is mandatory by the government and provided free of charge at integrated health posts (Posyandu).
Babies can receive the BCG vaccine shortly after birth or at one month of age. However, if your baby is born at 34 weeks gestation, the vaccine is not given immediately, as their body will not respond.
Try consulting with your pediatrician about the right time for your baby to get this vaccine.
4. DTPDiphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus are three viruses that are very dangerous for your child. Diphtheria can cause serious throat infections and respiratory problems.
Tetanus is a toxin-producing bacteria that can contaminate wounds and attack children's nerves. Pertussis, on the other hand, attacks children through inhalation, causing severe coughing.
If all three attack your baby, he will experience quite serious complications – often suffered by babies aged 6-12 months.
5. Hib B Immunization for Premature BabiesPremature babies do not require changes to the usual schedule to receive vaccines.Haemophilus influenzae tipe b(Hib) conjugated with tetanus (PRP-T), including Infanrix hexa. Premature infants produce a good antibody response to all antigens in Infanrix hexa after administration at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
If your baby is very premature and/or low birth weight (gestation <28 weeks or birth weight <1500 g), after receiving the Hib vaccine conjugated to Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane protein (PRP-OMP), your baby should receive an additional dose at 6 months of age. This means they should receive doses at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months of age.
6. PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)All premature infants born at less than 28 weeks' gestation are recommended to receive 4 doses of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (13vPCV) or pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and 2 doses of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23vPPV).
Children born at less than 28 weeks' gestation do not need more doses of pneumococcal vaccine after age 5 years if they:
All children and adults who have chronic lung disease or certain other chronic medical conditions (whether related to premature birth or not) should receive an additional dose of pneumococcal vaccine up to and after age 5 years.
7. Rotavirus (RSV) vaccineThis vaccine is not actually mandatory in Indonesia. However, it is used as an additional vaccine for premature babies due to the RSV virus (respiratory syncytial virus) is prone to developing in babies born prematurely.
RSV is a common cause of upper respiratory tract infections in infants. Nearly all infants by the age of two are infected with this virus. The virus can lead to higher rates of complications in premature infants and infants with severe heart and lung disease.
Abroad, immunizationpalivizumabIt's used as passive immunization against the RSV virus, allowing babies to receive ready-made antibodies and not have to produce their own. After passive immunization, they can receive this vaccine again in the first 1-2 years of life.
Because passive immunization provides babies with antibodies without stimulating their immune system independently, it is necessary to give repeat doses each time the virus season occurs.
8. Influenza VaccinePremature babies are particularly vulnerable to complications from influenza, including respiratory, heart, and neurological conditions. Premature babies should receive the influenza vaccine annually, starting at 6 months of age.
The second dose is given 4 weeks after the first dose, and then 1 dose every year thereafter.
Post-vaccination Observations and Possible Risks After Immunizing Premature BabiesPremature babies who have recently received a vaccine should remain under observation for at least 15 minutes. Most life-threatening side effects are likely to begin within 15 minutes of immunization.
There have been several increased incidences of cardiorespiratory instability following immunization of premature infants in hospitals. These include:
1. ApneaThe causes may be influenced by the severity of the underlying neonatal condition, previous sepsis, and/or a history of apnea in the parents. In some cases, premature babies require respiratory support (oxygen/non-invasive ventilation) after their first immunization. Therefore:
The most serious immediate reaction to immunization in premature infants.
However, vaccination is not associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome ( SIDS).Suddent infant death syndrome)
Vaccination Schedule for Full-Term Babies (0-24 months)So, Mom, there are several things you need to know about immunizations for premature babies. Essentially, there's no difference between the immunization schedules for premature babies and those born full-term. If you have any concerns, consult your pediatrician immediately.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
Comments
Post a Comment