State Health Department Issues Advisory on Importance of Hepatitis B Birth Dose for All Newborns

Advisory Created by the Department in Collaboration with New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and Northeast Public Health Collaborative

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 24, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health issued an advisory reminding health care providers and birthing facilities of the critical importance of administering the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose to all newborns within 24 hours of delivery. Newborns born to birth parents who test positive for hepatitis B infection or have an unknown status should be vaccinated within 12 hours of birth. The Department is also recommending that children complete the full hepatitis B vaccine series by 18 months of age, in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.

The advisory, created by the Department, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, reinforces important information about the ongoing risk of hepatitis B infection in infants and the life-saving protection offered by timely vaccination. The advisory was issued prior to the scheduled meeting of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on December 4 and 5 when ACIP is set to discuss and potentially vote on changing the hepatitis B vaccine schedule for infants.

"Hepatitis B puts infants at serious risk – 90 percent of infected newborns may develop chronic disease, and as many as one in four could die from complications," New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Vaccinating at birth is essential to protect our youngest New Yorkers."

"For nearly four decades, the hepatitis B vaccine has protected countless infants from the life-threatening consequences of hepatitis B infections," NYC Health Department Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said. "The New York City Health Department strongly recommends maintaining the current birth vaccine for newborns to continue to protect our youngest New Yorkers from preventable illnesses. Delaying this effective vaccine only puts infants at risk."

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can lead to both acute and chronic illness. Without proper prevention and care, hepatitis B can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer and even death. Perinatal transmission remains a significant source of infection. Under New York State Public Health Law § 2500-e, all pregnant individuals must be screened for hepatitis B prior to delivery. However, challenges and errors can still occur:

• Some birthing parents may be unaware they have hepatitis B, resulting in their infection status being inaccurately reported to the delivery facility.
• Laboratory reports can be misinterpreted, for example, a negative antibody test may be mistaken for a negative antigen test, leading to incorrect documentation.
• Birthing individuals who test negative early in pregnancy may acquire hepatitis B before delivery or may initially test negative if the infection is new.

Infants may also be exposed to hepatitis B after birth from caregivers, household contacts or others with known or unknown infection, as well as from contaminated surfaces or objects.

The hepatitis B vaccine birth dose remains the most effective way to protect newborns from lifelong infection and serious liver disease. The Department of Health urges all providers and birthing facilities to continue following these evidence-based recommendations to safeguard the health of New York's youngest residents.

More information about Hepatitis B can be found here.

New York State is a member of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, a voluntary regional public health partnership with other states and jurisdictions working to protect the health, safety and well-being of its communities. Part of the Collaborative's work includes developing recommendations based on scientific evidence and ensuring broad access to quality care and evidence-based guidance.