ACP, other societies criticize ACIP decision on hepatitis B vaccine
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) removed its support for universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth last week, eliciting concern from ACP and other medical organizations.
ACP joined with other medical societies last week to condemn the recent decision of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to no longer support universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth.
“We are here to speak with one voice: The birth dose of hepatitis B is safe and essential,” said Ronald G. Nahass, MD, FACP, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), at the start of a joint briefing by six medical organizations on Dec. 9.
Along with the IDSA and ACP, representatives of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) offered comments regarding the Dec. 5 ACIP meeting, where the committee voted to recommend individual-based decision-making about the vaccine.
“ACIP has created a vacuum of evidence. We are stepping in to provide it. We are collaborating to provide sound, evidence-based guidance for clinicians,” said Dr. Nahass. During the briefing, experts from the participating societies highlighted their existing vaccine recommendations and their support for CIDRAP's Vaccine Integrity Project, an initiative dedicated to safeguarding vaccine use in the U.S.
ACP President Jason Goldman, MD, MACP, spoke on behalf of the College, noting that it has published recommendations on influenza vaccination for adults who are neither pregnant nor immunocompromised and is working with other organizations to develop guidance for other patient populations.
“We are working on RSV and COVID-19 vaccination recommendations as well. We are dedicated to using an evidence-based, peer-reviewed scientific process,” Dr. Goldman said. “ACIP's recommendations on vaccines should be based on independent, evidence-based review free from politicization and misinformation. … Since the committee's upheaval, it has become necessary for other organizations to take on this responsibility themselves, so that physicians have evidence-based recommendations they can rely on.”
Speakers at the briefing also reiterated broader concerns about recent actions by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and called for removal of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the position of department secretary.
“We filed a lawsuit against the secretary with other medical organizations to stop the assault on public health,” said Dr. Goldman. “We've raised many concerns about the turmoil created at the CDC, which is putting lives at risk. We've spoken against HHS for pulling mRNA vaccine research. … We need an advisory committee that can be trusted.”