1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I’m writing to urge you to work to reverse the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) decision to weaken the universal hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for newborns. This vote, taken by a panel of anti-vaccine activists threatens the health and safety of millions of American children. Since 1995, hepatitis B vaccination at birth for ALL babies has been one of the great successes of American public health. It has nearly eliminated pediatric hepatitis B, a virus that, when acquired in infancy, often leads to lifelong chronic infection, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.. Instead of recommending the 3- dose series for all newborns, ACIP now says that babies of mothers who test negative for hepatitis B may delay the shot or even skip it unless parents specifically request it. They also voted to move away from the long-established three-dose series that was tested and proven in clinical trials to provide lasting immunity. This change is not based on new scientific findings or safety concerns. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, liver experts, and major medical organizations all opposed this move. This vote is part of a broader pattern: this ACIP has repeatedly questioned or narrowed access to long-standing vaccines, while entertaining misinformation and fringe theories in official deliberations. I ask you to: 1. Urge the acting CDC Director to reject ACIP’s recommendation and retain universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth and the standard three-dose schedule. 2. Initiate or support oversight hearings into the politicization of ACIP. 3. Back legislation that protects childhood vaccine policy from political interference and keeps decisions grounded in scientific evidence. Please act now to defend evidence-based vaccination policy and prevent a completely avoidable resurgence of hepatitis B and pediatric liver cancer.