A Republican state lawmaker is calling for the state health department to roll back its guidance for hepatitis B vaccines, following controversial changes at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Since 1991, the CDC has recommended giving hepatitis B vaccines to all babies within 24 hours of birth, and then two follow-up doses in the months after.
Over strong objections from many medical experts, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices this month voted to recommend the hepatitis B vaccine at birth only for newborns whose mothers test positive for the virus. Other mothers, the committee said, should consult with their doctors on when or if their babies should be vaccinated.
The American Academy of Pediatrics called the change “irresponsible.” And the Arizona Department of Health Services said it will continue recommending the shot for all newborns.
“We feel that not providing this vaccine is a huge missed opportunity that could potentially put some of those newborns at risk,” ADHS Medical Director of the Bureau of Infectious Diseases Services and the Bureau of Immunization Services, Dr. Joel Terriquez told KJZZ.
Terriquez noted that the vaccine has very minimal side effects. But, he said, infants who get infected with hepatitis B can go on to develop serious health problems including cirrhosis or liver cancer.
But state Rep. Lisa Fink (R-Glendale) said Arizona should align with federal guidance.
“With parents, we should be able to review and determine if this is safe for our children,” Fink told KJZZ.
In a press release Wednesday, Fink called the state’s guidance an “outdated one-size-fits-all policy” and said ADHS should do more to emphasize parental choice regarding vaccination.
“At a minimum, the state should update its guidance so parents know they have options, receive clear information, and are supported if they choose to follow the federal panel’s updated advice,” Fink said.
Earlier this year, Fink sponsored a pair of bills aimed at expanding vaccine exemptions in schools and universities. Both bills passed on party-line votes but were vetoed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.
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