PA Insurers Back Hep B Shots, despite Immunization Committee Vote
2 min readPennsylvania insurers have announced that they will continue to cover hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns, despite a recent vote by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to stop recommending the vaccine for all newborns. The Shapiro Administration is urging parents to continue vaccinating their children at birth as a precautionary measure, citing the importance of protecting against the virus.
According to Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen, the scientific evidence is clear that vaccinating newborns against hepatitis B is crucial in preventing lifelong liver disease. When infants contract the virus, they have a 90% chance of developing chronic liver disease, compared to less than 5% for adults. Since the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics first recommended hepatitis B vaccination for newborns in 1991, infections in children have decreased by 99%.
Pennsylvania has seen significant success in reducing hepatitis B infections in young children, with no recorded cases of children under the age of 4 contracting the virus since 2019. This is attributed to the high vaccination rate in the state. However, tens of thousands of adults in Pennsylvania live with chronic hepatitis B infections, which can lead to scarring of the liver, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death.
Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys has confirmed that insurance companies in Pennsylvania will continue to cover the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, with commercial markets committed to coverage through at least 2026. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has also emphasized the importance of continued vaccination, citing the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
The decision to continue vaccinating newborns against hepatitis B is supported by medical experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pennsylvania Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh has urged parents and doctors to follow the clear recommendation to vaccinate newborns against hepatitis B, highlighting the potential risks of not doing so.