Governors Denounce ACIP Recommendation on Hepatitis B Vaccination, Reaffirm Commitment to Strong, Evidence-Based Childhood Vaccination Programs
States continue to take action to protect childhood vaccination systems amid federal uncertainty
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today’s conclusion of the December meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) brought several troubling developments, including a vote to eliminate the long-standing universal newborn hepatitis B recommendation. In light of this deeply concerning decision, governors in the Governors Public Health Alliance (PHA) reaffirmed their commitment to relying on strong, science-driven vaccination guidance to protect public health in their states and ensure families receive clear, evidence-based information.
Governors emphasized that overwhelming scientific research and data show that childhood vaccines remain one of the safest and most effective tools for preventing serious diseases. In recent months, governors have raised concerns about federal actions that could introduce confusion for parents, clinicians, and schools, and last week submitted a formal public comment elevating those concerns ahead of the ACIP meeting.
PHA governors are committed to using transparent, evidence-based information to protect the health of children and maintain strong state vaccination programs that families can rely on.
From the Governors
California
“Universal Hepatitis B vaccinations at birth save lives, and walking away from this science is reckless,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom. “The Trump administration’s ideological politics continue to drive increasingly high costs – for parents, for newborns, and for our entire public-health system. I stand with the Governor’s Public Health Alliance in condemning today’s grossly misguided ACIP vote.”
In September, Governor Newsom signed legislation authorizing California to base future immunization guidance and insurance coverage on credible, independent medical organizations and evidence rather than the CDC’s increasingly politicized Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. This bill assures that Californians continue to have access to vaccines based on sound evidence and science, by requiring health insurers in California to continue to cover vaccines and assuring health care providers can provide vaccines based on reliable recommendations.
Colorado
“Every child and family deserves access to the medications they need. Colorado will continue to follow the science and strongly support the hepatitis B birth dose as a safe, simple, and effective protection for every newborn, even as ACIP creates confusion for families,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. We will reinforce the importance of continuing to get the birth-dose, and working to ensure people have access to the best information, that the vaccine remains covered, supporting providers, and partnering through the Governors Public Health Alliance to maintain strong public health protections for every family.”
Colorado has ensured vaccine access by removing pharmacy barriers, protecting insurance coverage of vaccines targeted by ACIP, and looking to evidence-based recommendations from other scientific bodies like the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Delaware
“Vaccines are not about politics, they are about saving lives and keeping our neighbors safe. As a former teacher and as a dad, I want every parent in Delaware to know we are doing everything we can to protect vaccine access and keep kids in school,” said Delaware Governor Matt Meyer. “That is why we have put a standing order in place so pharmacies can continue to provide the COVID 19 vaccine in every community. And it is why our Division of Public Health and Department of Education are already rewriting our regulations, so that any changes coming out of the CDC do not strip our schools of the tools they need to keep students healthy and learning in person. In Delaware, that is what it means to be a state of neighbors.”
Hawai’i
“The scientific evidence is irrefutable: Hepatitis B vaccinations, beginning at birth, have been extraordinarily successful in protecting children from liver disease,” said Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green. “As a doctor myself, I know that this is a fact, proven with full scientific rigor. ACIP’s speculative and poorly informed theories about vaccinations not only are wrong, but dangerous to infants and children.”
Illinois
“While the Trump Administration continues to undermine science and spread dangerous misinformation about vaccines, Illinois just enacted a law to provide our own science-based recommendations to protect access to vaccines in our state,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “In Illinois, we will now be able to respond swiftly to any irresponsible or anti-science actions taking place at the federal level. Public health should never be politicized and the federal government’s irresponsible attacks on clear, evidence-based science have no place in Illinois or our country.”
Massachusetts
“This is about the health and safety of our children. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe, effective and lifesaving. It has been recommended for newborns since 1991 and has resulted in a 99 percent decrease in pediatric infection rates,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “This vote by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s handpicked advisers is dangerous and wrong. I want the people of Massachusetts to know that your state Department of Public Health – led by an actual doctor and guided by science and data – continues to recommend that newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine. We are going to continue to work with other states to ensure that all of our residents can receive the vaccines they need and want to keep them and their children healthy.”
Maryland
“Maryland is acting proactively and decisively to protect our people as the federal government sows uncertainty, spouts falsehoods laced with bad science and is derelict in carrying out its public health duties,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “Maryland will continue to use rigorous scientific evidence to guide our public health decisions, and ensure all Marylanders have access to safe and effective medicines, including vaccines, that help them lead longer and healthier lives.”
In addition, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today issued an advisory to health care professionals and birthing hospitals reiterating the importance of administering the full vaccination series for hepatitis B for all infants, beginning at birth, in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations. The Department also issued a standing order, essentially a prescription, to ensure hepatitis B vaccine access for infants and children ages 0-18 across Maryland, as well as guidance to parents and caregivers on the recommended childhood vaccine schedule.
The Department has taken other important steps to ensure broad vaccine access for Marylanders, including launching the Maryland Vaccine Program for adult vaccine access; Creating a Maryland Combined Respiratory Illness Dashboard; issuing a COVID-19 vaccine standing order; publishing clinical vaccine guidance for healthcare providers; publishing frequently asked questions about vaccines for the public; and updating respiratory virus immunization recommendations.
New Jersey
“Updated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices would weaken our ability to protect public health and stop the transmission of preventable disease. We know unequivocally that vaccines save lives,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Since 1991, millions of newborns have received the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, which has proven to be one of the most effective childhood immunizations in preventing infections and deaths. In New Jersey, we are continuing to trust the science that has saved countless newborns from adverse health outcomes.”
The New Jersey Department of Health today issued an Executive Directive protecting the birth dose of the hepatitis vaccine. New Jersey continues to recommend that newborns and children receive the hepatitis B vaccine based on clear, scientific, and evidence-based recommendations from trusted medical professionals, specifically the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), as well as consensus guidance by the Northeast Public Health Collaborative.
The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the New Jersey Department of Human Services are also taking action to maintain coverage in accordance with the Department of Health’s Executive Directive.
North Carolina
“Leading with science and facts, not politics, is crucial to keeping North Carolinians healthy, especially our newborn babies,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “I will continue to work to promote data-driven recommendations that keep all of us healthy and safe.”
Rhode Island
“Rhode Island is one of the best vaccinated states in the country because we prioritize data and science, and because we know that vaccines save lives,” said Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee. “No matter what kind of chaos comes out of Washington DC, we will continue to ensure that children in Rhode Island have access to hepatitis B vaccine, along with the other immunizations that keep families and communities in our state safe.”
###
About GovAct
Governors Action Alliance (GovAct) is a nonprofit nonpartisan initiative that helps governors work across state lines to champion fundamental freedoms and improve people’s lives. GovAct serves as a centralized platform for collaboration across governors’ offices—incubating, launching, and supporting alliances of governors. These alliances share cutting-edge policy and legal approaches to some of the most challenging and critical issues we face. To learn more, go to www.GovActAlliance.org.
About the Governors Public Health Alliance
The Governors Public Health Alliance (PHA) is a nonpartisan coalition of governors working together to strengthen public health systems, protect access to evidence-based care, and coordinate responses to health threats across state lines. Supported by GovAct, the Alliance brings together governors and senior state officials to share best practices, reinforce scientific integrity, and ensure communities receive clear, credible health information.