The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has responded to a recent decision by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which voted to remove its long-standing recommendation for all newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of IDPH, issued a statement expressing concern over the change in federal guidance. “Since universal newborn vaccination began in 1991, hepatitis B infection among U.S. children dropped by 99%. Today, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to remove its long-standing recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. For decades, the best available science has shown that administering the hepatitis B vaccine at birth is safe, effective, and critical in preventing chronic liver disease and liver cancer later in life,” said Dr. Vohra.
He added: “As a pediatrician and a parent, I am deeply concerned by this shift away from universal newborn vaccination, particularly in the absence of any new scientific evidence to support such a change. In Illinois, we remain committed to science-based public health policy and have recently enshrined into law vaccine access and a state-level structure to provide evidenced-based recommendations.”
Dr. Vohra emphasized that Illinois will not be changing its current vaccination policy despite ACIP’s action. “The current guidance in Illinois remains unchanged. Earlier this fall, the Illinois Department of Public Health adopted the CDC immunization schedules as revised on August 7, 2025, which continue to recommend hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns. The Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee will also convene on December 16 to review the latest ACIP recommendation.”
He further stated: “Thanks to Governor Pritzker’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of public health, Illinois has already enacted proactive measures, like the recently signed HB 767, to prevent barriers to access to this and other life-saving vaccines. IDPH will continue to rely on credible, transparent, science-based processes to protect the health and safety of Illinois families.”
Illinois passed legislation earlier this year ensuring continued access and infrastructure for vaccine delivery following national guidelines.
