Cassidy Urges Caution Over Proposed Change to Hepatitis B Vaccine Schedule

Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana and chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, has expressed significant concern regarding a potential adjustment to the hepatitis B vaccine schedule for infants. This announcement comes as the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices prepares to convene on December 4-5, 2023, to discuss various vaccine recommendations, including the hepatitis B vaccine.

During an appearance on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Cassidy, who has a medical background specializing in hepatitis B, emphasized the critical importance of the vaccine. He stated, “I’m a doctor. I have seen people die from vaccine-preventable disease. I want to make America healthy, and you don’t start by stopping recommendations that have made us substantially healthier.”

Cassidy pointed out that the recommendation to administer the hepatitis B vaccine at birth has contributed to a substantial decline in chronic hepatitis B cases, decreasing the incidence by approximately 20,000 cases over the past two decades. He firmly asserted, “The vaccine is safe. It has been established,” and criticized the rationale behind the proposed changes.

He suggested that the discussions surrounding the vaccine schedule reflect a misunderstanding of the epidemiology of hepatitis B, stating, “This is policy by people who don’t understand the epidemiology of hepatitis B, or who have grown comfortable with the fact that we’ve been so successful with our recommendation that now the incidence of hepatitis B is so low, they feel like we can rest on our laurels.”

The upcoming meeting of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices is anticipated to include discussions and potential votes on the hepatitis B vaccine schedule. In September, the panel opted to delay a vote on altering the pediatric vaccination schedule, which has raised concerns among health officials and advocates.

Cassidy has previously voiced his apprehensions regarding the committee’s direction. In June, he called for a postponement of the vaccine meeting following the announcement from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who indicated plans to replace the committee members with his own selections. Additionally, Cassidy urged the panel to delay its September meeting amidst significant departures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These developments mark a departure from the leadership of Kennedy, who was confirmed as the nation’s health official after garnering Cassidy’s support. Despite initial reservations about Kennedy’s views on vaccines, Cassidy ultimately backed the nomination, citing “serious commitments” he received from the administration.

When asked by Brennan about any regrets regarding his support for Kennedy, Cassidy responded, “You live life forward.” He acknowledged the mixed nature of his relationship with the secretary, affirming, “He’s brought attention to things like ultra-processed food that has, frankly, never received this sort of attention before.”

Cassidy’s comments underscore the ongoing debate surrounding vaccine policy and public health, particularly as the nation navigates the complexities of vaccination recommendations in light of changing leadership within health advisory panels.