Washington, DC — The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) continues to support the science that recognizes immunizations as an essential component of protecting the health of newborns after the vote by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to discontinue the universal recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. 

AWHONN’s longstanding position is that immunizations are a critical public health intervention and a foundational part of evidence-based maternal–newborn care. For more than 30 years, the universal birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine has played a vital role in preventing perinatal transmission. When administered as recommended, the vaccine prevents over 95 percent of infections and protects nearly all newborns from developing chronic hepatitis B, according to global data from the World Health Organization. 

Nurses witness every day the profound impact of prevention. As trusted clinicians and advocates, nurses have a professional responsibility to promote evidence-based immunization practices that safeguard the most vulnerable populations. Newborns rely on nurses to ensure they receive safe and effective protection during their earliest hours of life. 

Modifications to existing vaccination recommendations must be informed by rigorous scientific evidence, transparent evaluation, and meaningful engagement with frontline clinicians. Nurses play a central role in vaccine education, counseling, and administration, and their expertise is essential in shaping policies that affect infant and family health. 

AWHONN recommends that nurses engage in shared decision-making with parents and families when considering the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose. These conversations should include clear evidence-based information about the benefits and risks, opportunities for families to ask questions, and support for making an informed decision that aligns with their values and the clinical needs of their newborn. Parents and families are encouraged to speak with their baby’s healthcare provider early, ideally before delivery, to understand the most up-to-date recommendations and develop a plan for newborn immunizations. 

AWHONN remains committed to working collaboratively with federal partners, scientific experts, and healthcare organizations to ensure that vaccination policies continue to reflect the best available evidence and advance our shared goal of preventing disease and protecting public health. 

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