'We Are Doing Harm': RFK Jr.'s ACIP Guts Universal Hep B Vaccination at Birth

"We're Doing Harm": RFK Jr.'s Bid to Gut Universal Hep B Vaccination at Birth Sparks Global Outrage

The US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has voted to dismantle a cornerstone of public health policy, sparking widespread outrage among medical professionals and experts worldwide. The decision paves the way for Robert F Kennedy Jr., the new head of Health and Human Services, to implement a radical shift in vaccine recommendations.

According to sources close to the ACIP process, the committee's majority vote effectively overturned decades of consensus on universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth. The move has been described as a "gutting" of the country's public health pillars by medical professionals.

Critics argue that Kennedy and his allies have used their influence to undermine evidence-based decision-making on vaccine policy, with some members of the ACIP having ties to anti-vaccination groups or financial interests in vaccine manufacturers. The new chair of the ACIP, Kirk Milhoan, has made questionable statements about vaccines, including falsely claiming that COVID-19 vaccines increase cancer cases and miscarriages.

The shift in vaccine recommendations is expected to have devastating consequences for public health, particularly among children who are more vulnerable to contracting hepatitis B due to maternal transmission. Medical experts warn that delaying or removing universal vaccination at birth could result in a significant increase in acute and chronic infections, as well as child deaths.

Many medical societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), continue to endorse universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth. Some states have already signaled their intention to resist the ACIP's new guidelines, citing concerns about the potential harm to public health.

As Kennedy begins his reshaping of vaccine policy, many are left wondering what other radical changes he has in store for the country's healthcare system. The decision by the ACIP is a stark reminder that the influence of misinformation and ideology can have far-reaching consequences for human health.

I'm freaking out over this news! Can you believe what's happening to public health? RFK Jr. thinks he can just gut universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth because... I don't even know, some conspiracy theory? Newsflash: vaccines are proven to save lives! What's next, denying kids vaccinations for chickenpox because it's "natural"? Get real, RFK Jr.! The science is clear on this one.

And what's with all the shady ties and questionable statements from ACIP members? That's not how you build trust in public health! It's gonna be a disaster if these changes go through. I'm talking about more illnesses, more deaths... it's just not worth it!

this is super worrying me rn... i mean, think about it - we're talking about hepatitis B here, which can be super serious if not treated ASAP! and now they're gonna just gut the vaccine program? what's next? are they gonna tell us to stop washing our hands or something? no seriously though, this is a huge deal. i'm so glad some medical societies like AAP are still speaking out against this nonsense... we need more of that

I'm low-key freaking out about this . I mean, hepatitis B is no joke, and we're talking about gutting a policy that's been in place for decades? It just doesn't add up to me. I've seen some pretty sketchy stuff online about vaccine safety, but at the end of the day, it's science vs misinformation, right? The thought of kids not getting vaccinated because of some conspiracy theory is just...wow. What's next? Are we gonna start questioning the existence of polio and smallpox too? It's a slippery slope, for sure. I'm keeping an eye on this one, though - it'll be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Ugh this is not good at all... I mean, come on, hepatitis B vaccine at birth is like, the most basic public health thing ever! And now we're gonna undo it? It's like they're playing some kind of twisted game where "safety" is just a word that doesn't apply anymore.

And Robert F Kennedy Jr.? I mean, I know he thinks he's fighting for truth or whatever, but really he's just spreading misinformation and putting people's lives at risk. The ACIP is like, the most important thing in public health, and now it's being dismantled by some radical ideology? It's terrifying!

And can we talk about the COVID-19 vaccine for a sec? Like, what even happened with that? I know there were a lot of conspiracy theories going around, but Kirk Milhoan saying that vaccines increase cancer cases and miscarriages is just... no. That's not how science works at all!

Anyway, this whole thing is super concerning and I'm really worried about what's gonna happen to public health now. Let's hope some people step up and stop this madness before it's too late...

Ugh, come on ! Robert F Kennedy Jr.'s attempt to gut universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth is literally a public health nightmare . I mean, what's next? Are we gonna start letting kids play with unvaccinated toddlers like it's some kind of game? And let's be real, his whole "misinformation and ideology" thing is just code for "I'm gonna make money off my own ignorance" . I've got a feeling this guy has no idea what he's doing in that role, which is super concerning . And can we talk about how this is just a perfect example of the dangers of letting ideological extremism creep into public health policy? It's like, come on folks, science is not optional! We need to be relying on evidence-based decisions, not some guy's gut feeling or financial interests . This is gonna have disastrous consequences for our kids and public health in general...

I'm really worried about this new development... I mean, hepatitis B is a serious disease that can lead to liver cancer and even death... how could they just gut this policy like that? And what's with all the ties to anti-vaccination groups and vaccine manufacturers? It feels like we're going backwards in terms of public health. I'm also concerned about the impact on vulnerable kids... they need protection from diseases like hepatitis B, especially since it can be transmitted through maternal contact. Has anyone else thought about what this means for the future of vaccine recommendations and child health?

this is so worrying I mean think about it if they dismantle the universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth it's not just the kids who are gonna be affected it's also our entire public health system we're already dealing with so many preventable diseases and then you take away a vaccine that's been proven to save lives what's next? do we start letting people walk around with untreated diseases? this is like a recipe for disaster and I'm genuinely scared for the future of our healthcare system

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this news... It's like, I get where they're coming from, wanting to question things and all, but gutting universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth? That's a huge deal! What about the kids who are more likely to contract it because of their moms? We can't just ignore that for the sake of some ideology or misinformation. I've been following this stuff closely, and it feels like we're taking two steps back in terms of public health. What if this is the start of something bigger?

I'm so done with this ! Can't believe the ACIP just gutted universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth. Like, what's next? Not vaccinating against cancer or something ? This is a recipe for disaster, especially for kids who are already vulnerable to getting sick from maternal transmission. I mean, come on, folks! We can't just rely on "questionable statements" and misinformation to guide our public health policies. It's not about being anti-vaxx, it's about making informed decisions based on science . And let's be real, who are these people trying to undermine evidence-based decision-making? It's like they think the vaccine manufacturers are just going to give them all a free pass or something . Not cool, not cool at all .

This is so worrisome ... I mean, think about it - we're already dealing with rising cases of preventable diseases and now we're talking about gutting a proven vaccine program? It's like they're playing with fire without considering the consequences. I'm all for questioning things but this is just reckless ... what if hepatitis B becomes a major problem again because of this decision? We need to make sure our health system prioritizes science over politics ...

I mean, come on... I'm all for questioning vaccine policies and making sure we're not doing harm, but gutting universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth? That's just reckless! I don't think it's a good idea to listen to anti-vaxxers who are more interested in spreading misinformation than actual science.

On the other hand... I've read some of Kennedy's articles on vaccine safety, and he does make some valid points about over-vaccination and potential side effects. Maybe we should be having a more nuanced conversation about vaccine policy? But to just dismantle decades of evidence-based consensus without considering the consequences? No thanks!

I guess what I'm trying to say is... I don't know, man! This whole thing has me all confused. Can we just take a step back and have a rational discussion about vaccine policies instead of playing politics with public health?

Vaccination is not a "choice" it's a fact . If you're anti-vax, then educate yourself first... or just stick to conspiracy theories . RK Jr.'s plans are a recipe for disaster . What's next? Letting people vote on whether or not to breathe oxygen?

I'm telling ya, this is just crazy ! Back in my day, we knew that vaccines were one of the best ways to keep us safe from all sorts of diseases. I mean, who would've thought that some folks would think otherwise now? It's like they're trying to take away our kids' protection from something as simple as a vaccine. Hep B is no joke, especially for those little ones, it can lead to serious health problems and even death. What's next, gutting the whole healthcare system? I'm worried sick about what's gonna happen now that this guy Kennedy is in charge . The thought of him making decisions based on misinformation and ideology is just plain scary . We gotta stand up for our kids' health and make sure they get the protection they deserve!

this is seriously concerning if you're a parent, just think about all the kids who will be exposed to hepatitis B because their parents are too busy being anti-vax what's next? cutting funding for cancer research or gutting programs that help low-income families access healthcare? it's like we're playing Russian roulette with people's lives and I don't think anyone should have the power to decide what's best for public health based on ideology alone I mean, come on, vaccines have been proven time and time again to save lives let's not throw out decades of science just because some people are too scared to get a shot

I'm totally freaking out about this ! Like, how could they even consider gutting universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth? It's not just about personal choice, it's about protecting our kids from a life-altering disease that can be prevented with just one tiny shot . I mean, come on, we're talking about a vaccine that's been proven to save lives for decades! What's next? Gutting cancer screenings or HPV vaccines too? It's just not right . As someone who's passionate about public health, it's disheartening to see the ACIP make such an uninformed decision. We need to hold our leaders accountable and ensure that science is always at the forefront of policy decisions .

Ugh this is getting out of hand . I'm so worried about the kids, they're already vulnerable enough with all the germs floating around . Now we're gonna gut the universal Hep B vaccination at birth? It's just crazy . I mean, what's next? Are we gonna start letting parents decide whether or not their kid gets polio shots ? No way . This is a disaster waiting to happen . We need to protect our kids, not let them take some misguided vaccine-fearing parent's word for it . And what about the kids who can't get vaccinated because of their medical conditions? They're gonna be left high and dry . This is a total betrayal of public trust . We need to stand up against this and demand better from our leaders .

OMG I'm literally freaking out right now , like what just happened?! RFK Jr is seriously going to gut our public health policy and undo decades of consensus on universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth?! That's just crazy talk , I mean I know some people are anti-vax but come on this is a serious move that could put kids lives at risk . And what's with the ACIP votes being manipulated by influencers and financial interests? It's so sketchy . I need to stay informed and speak out against this nonsense , can't let our healthcare system fall apart like this

"This house believes that vaccination is one of the greatest medical achievements of the last century!"

omg i'm literally shaking with concern about this rfk jr.'s appointment as head of hhs has me super worried what's going on in our country ? it seems like a perfect storm of misinformation and ideology is taking over and i just can't believe the ACIP voted to dismantle universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth i mean, come on science is science and we know that vaccine prevents liver cancer not increases it . what's next? gutting other public health policies too and honestly, i'm scared for the future of our kids we need to speak out against this madness and make sure our voices are heard