The New York State Department of Health has issued an advisory urging health care providers and birthing facilities to administer the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose to all newborns within 12 hours of delivery, regardless of the birth parent’s hepatitis B status. The advisory also recommends that children complete the full hepatitis B vaccine series by 18 months, in line with guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
This advisory was developed in collaboration with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. It aims to reinforce information about ongoing risks related to hepatitis B infection in infants and highlights the importance of timely vaccination. The announcement comes ahead of a meeting by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which will consider possible changes to infant hepatitis B vaccine schedules.
“Hepatitis B puts infants at serious risk – 90 percent of infected newborns may develop chronic disease, and as many as one in four could die from complications,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “Vaccinating at birth is essential to protect our youngest New Yorkers.”
“For nearly four decades, the hepatitis B vaccine has protected countless infants from the life-threatening consequences of hepatitis B infections,” stated NYC Health Department Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “The New York City Health Department strongly recommends maintaining the current birth vaccine for newborns to continue to protect our youngest New Yorkers from preventable illnesses. Delaying this effective vaccine only puts infants at risk.”
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can lead to severe liver problems such as cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, or death if not properly prevented or treated. Perinatal transmission remains a significant route for new infections, even though state law requires screening all pregnant individuals for hepatitis B before delivery. There are still challenges and potential errors in this process.
Newborns may also face exposure after birth through contact with caregivers or household members who have known or unknown infections, as well as through contaminated surfaces or objects.
Health officials emphasize that administering the hepatitis B vaccine shortly after birth remains the most effective method for protecting infants against lifelong infection and serious liver disease.
The New York State Department of Health continues its involvement with regional efforts through membership in the Northeast Public Health Collaborative—a partnership focused on evidence-based recommendations and broad access to quality public health guidance across multiple states and jurisdictions.
