Atlanta, GA – Concerns are rising among healthcare professionals regarding the future of childhood vaccination schedules in the United States following discussions at a recent meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The debate centers around potential changes to vaccine recommendations, specifically regarding the hepatitis B shot, and comes amid declining vaccination rates and a surge in preventable diseases like measles.
The US is currently experiencing its worst measles outbreak in three decades, wiht two unvaccinated children and one adult dying from the virus this year. Health officials warn that if the outbreak isn’t contained by mid-January, the US risks losing its measles-elimination status.
During the ACIP meeting, several presenters and advisors repeated debunked myths about vaccines, including claims they cause allergies and autism, despite decades of research proving their safety and effectiveness. This has contributed to a decline in public trust.
“When enough people in a community are vaccinated, it protects those that cannot get immunized, like my son with cancer,” stated Raheja, highlighting the importance of herd immunity.
Vicky Pebsworth, an advisor described as “anti-vax longer than RFK,” argued against the hepatitis B vaccine, citing low prevalence of the virus in the US. However,Kevin Ault,an obstetrician and gynecologist and previous ACIP member,countered that the low prevalence is due to widespread vaccination efforts. Ault emphasized that 2 million people in the US still have hepatitis B, necessitating continued vaccination.
Currently, insurers are required to cover vaccines on the childhood immunization schedule, and the Vaccines for Children program covers over half (52%) of US children, adhering to ACIP recommendations. Any changes to these recommendations could “generate lots of confusion for parents,” according to Wang.
Healthcare providers are already seeing the consequences of declining vaccination rates. Wang recently treated several unvaccinated children who became ill,with mothers expressing concerns about vaccine safety and a desire to “do their own research.”
Experts warn that lower vaccination rates not only endanger unvaccinated children but also increase the risk of preventable diseases for the entire population. “You have to worry about things we,in the past,did not have to worry about,” Wang said.
