December 17, 2025 - On Tuesday, the American Medical Association released the following statement after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adopted individual-based decision-making for Hepatitis B immunization for infants born to women who test negative for the Hepatitis B virus:

Related: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Adopts Individual-Based Decision-Making for Hepatitis B Immunization for Infants Born to Women Who Test Negative for the Hepatitis B Virus

Statement attributable to: Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, Trustee, American Medical Association 

“Decades of scientific evidence shows that the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is essential to protecting all newborns from a serious, chronic infection that can lead to liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. Rolling back this recommendation creates confusion and doubt about vaccines, reverses hard-won progress in preventing hepatitis B, and will undoubtedly result in completely preventable illness and death. Physicians continue to recommend the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns, and we encourage parents with questions about vaccines to talk to their physician.”

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About the American Medical Association

The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care.  The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.

Source: AMA