North Carolina Urges Vaccination Following New Hepatitis B Guidelines
With the recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s endorsement of updated hepatitis B vaccination guidelines from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), North Carolina health officials are emphasizing the critical role vaccinations play in community health. These vaccines are essential in preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, measles, and pertussis.
The ACIP’s new guidance suggests that for infants born to mothers without hepatitis B, parents should discuss the vaccine’s benefits and risks with healthcare providers. The initial dose is generally recommended at two months or later if not administered at birth. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) released the following statement:
“Protecting newborns from preventable disease is one of the most important commitments we can make to ensure a healthy start for all North Carolinians. The hepatitis B vaccine, administered at birth, is a safe, effective and essential tool in preventing chronic infection, which can lead to liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer or even death. Universal administration of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth ensures that every newborn — regardless of maternal testing status, health care access or background — receives life-saving protection. Delaying the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine or not completing the full series has no evidence of safety benefits for children and may result in more hepatitis B infections in infants, reversing more than 30 years of successful efforts that have dramatically reduced hepatitis cases.”
According to NCDHHS, the hepatitis B vaccine should continue to be administered as per the Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This schedule is supported by a comprehensive review of current scientific data. Healthcare providers and families share a common goal: ensuring a healthy future for children in North Carolina.
NCDHHS is collaborating with federal, state, and local partners to prioritize the health and safety of North Carolina’s children and families, ensuring the availability of life-saving vaccines. Healthcare providers are advised to continue their standard practices for hepatitis B vaccination. Vaccines, including the birth dose, are typically covered by private insurance, the Vaccines for Children Program, and NC Medicaid. Additionally, NCDHHS offers a bilingual Childhood Vaccines Toolkit to assist healthcare providers and families in discussing childhood vaccines.
Vaccination provides several benefits for children, including:
- Building protection against serious illnesses and ensuring a healthy future;
- Preventing school absences and missed activities due to illness;
- Reducing disease transmission to classmates, family, and community members;
- Meeting school immunization requirements.
Vaccines are accessible at pharmacies, private medical offices, some federally qualified health centers, and local health departments. The Vaccines for Children program offers free vaccines to eligible children up to 18 years old, ensuring that uninsured children can receive vaccinations at low or no cost.
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