Media Contact: Efrat Dallal Stein – [email protected]
BRIDGEVIEW, IL – The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) reaffirms its strong support for the universal birth dose of the Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine and fully endorses the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) science-based recommendations for newborn immunization.
CCDPH supports the full HepB vaccine series, with doses given at birth, 1–2 months, and 6–18 months. We also support IDPH guidance that all pregnant individuals be screened for hepatitis B during early prenatal care, with additional screening at delivery for those at increased risk.
These actions follow recent changes by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which reversed longstanding guidance supporting universal HepB vaccination at birth. This decision was made despite overwhelming evidence demonstrating the vaccine’s safety, effectiveness, and critical role in preventing lifelong hepatitis B infection.
There is no new evidence of harm to justify delaying the birth dose. Infants exposed during or shortly after birth face up to a 90% risk of developing chronic infection, which can lead to liver failure or liver cancer later in life. Modeling shows that delaying vaccination could result in hundreds of preventable cases of liver cancer, deaths, and substantial healthcare costs.
ACIP’s recommendation that parents consider blood tests to determine the need for future doses places unnecessary burdens on families and clinicians and weakens a simple, proven prevention strategy. Before universal vaccination, thousands of children in the U.S. were infected annually, often from unknown sources. Since 1991, the birth dose has reduced infection in U.S children by 99 percent.
Vaccines work. The HepB birth dose remains a cornerstone of effective prevention. CCDPH remains committed to evidence-based policies that protect the health of our youngest residents and will continue supporting providers, families, and partners to ensure timely, life-saving immunizations for every child in Cook County.
IDPH’s hepatitis B recommendations are included in statewide guidance to medical providers outlining best practices for prevention, testing, and care. immunization-guidance.pdf
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Cook County Department of Public Health is the nationally accredited, state-certified local health department serving suburban Cook County. We build healthier, more equitable communities by protecting health, preventing disease, engaging communities, and analyzing and sharing data for action.