January 1, GOP Senator Blasts CDC Over Newborn Vaccine Change

Wyatt’s Take

• CDC may drop routine hepatitis B shots for newborns
• Sen. Cassidy warns this is dangerous
• Critics say changes will put more babies at risk

Senator Bill Cassidy is warning the CDC not to end the longstanding practice of giving hepatitis B vaccines to newborns. A CDC advisory group voted to let parents decide with their doctor, saying it’s now “individual-based decision-making.”

If a baby skips the birth dose, the group says to delay the first shot until the child is at least two months old.

Cassidy, who is also a liver doctor, pushed back.

He said,

“As a liver doctor who has treated patients with hepatitis B for decades, this change to the vaccine schedule is a mistake.”

He explained,

“The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. The birth dose is a recommendation, NOT a mandate.”

Before this recommendation, 20,000 newborns every year got hepatitis B, but now it’s fewer than 20, Cassidy said.

“Ending the recommendation for newborns makes it more likely the number of cases will begin to increase again. This makes America sicker. Acting CDC Director O’Neill should not sign these new recommendations and instead retain the current, evidence-based approach.”

Cassidy criticized a lawyer involved in vaccine lawsuits for shaping vaccine policy and said,

“The ACIP is totally discredited. They are not protecting children.”

He has also fought cuts to vaccine research funding, demanding strong protections for American health. The CDC has not yet decided if it will act on the new advice.

Let your neighbors know what’s happening and talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Wyatt Matters

Keeping our kids safe means following what works, not what’s trendy or political. Hardworking families deserve clear health standards, not risky rollbacks.

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