Connecticut officials have voiced strong opposition to a recent decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to revise hepatitis B vaccination guidelines for newborns. This decision, made by a panel selected by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recommends that only infants whose mothers test positive for hepatitis B, or have not been tested, should receive the vaccine. This marks a significant departure from the longstanding recommendation that all babies be vaccinated within 24 hours of birth, a practice that has been in place for over three decades.
The revised guidance has drawn widespread condemnation from various medical groups and state officials. Senate President Martin Looney criticized the vote, stating, “We will work to ensure that our state’s immunization policies continue to protect our most vulnerable infants from a preventable, potentially deadly disease.” He further accused Kennedy and former President Trump of politicizing the CDC and jeopardizing public health.
Connecticut’s Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff emphasized that there is no scientific rationale for changing the vaccine recommendation. He stated, “Connecticut will not follow Trump and Kennedy down this dangerous path of vaccine denial.” Since the universal vaccination against hepatitis B was first recommended in 1991, the rates of infection among children and teens have dramatically decreased, underscoring the vaccine’s efficacy. Senator Saud Anwar, a medical doctor, highlighted that this policy has prevented over 500,000 infections and 90,000 deaths over the past 30 years.
U.S. Representative John B. Larson added that Kennedy’s anti-vaccine stance could endanger children’s health nationwide. He described the panel’s decision as lacking a foundation in factual evidence, warning that it could reverse progress made against preventable diseases like hepatitis B. “Vaccinations are backed by decades of extensive scientific research,” Larson stated, emphasizing the potential dangers of the new guidance.
In response to the CDC’s changing recommendations, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) reaffirmed its commitment to the hepatitis B vaccine. On December 1, the DPH reiterated that all newborns should receive the vaccine within 24 hours of birth and that children should complete the vaccination series by 18 months. The DPH Commissioner, Dr. Manisha Juthani, remarked, “The hepatitis B vaccine is a crucial safety net for newborns from an incurable, life-threatening disease.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has also taken proactive steps to ensure residents have access to necessary vaccinations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite conflicting federal guidance, he made efforts to provide vaccines to all residents. “Making vaccines accessible is grounded in health and safety,” Lamont stated. He emphasized that patients and their healthcare providers should decide the best treatment course without political interference.
The DPH has responded to the CDC’s recent changes, which included casting doubt on the debunked link between vaccinations and autism. The department reiterated that vaccines undergo rigorous research and are monitored for safety after approval. “Decades of high-quality studies show no link between vaccination and autism,” DPH noted, asserting that the risks associated with vaccines are minimal compared to the health risks posed by preventable diseases.
Connecticut’s vaccination rates have remained high, with 98.2% of kindergarteners vaccinated with the MMR vaccine for the 2024-25 school year. This achievement has contributed to the state being one of only seven states and the District of Columbia without reported cases of measles in 2025.
In response to federal inconsistencies, Connecticut has joined other northeastern states in forming the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness, disease management, and evidence-based public health initiatives. The collaborative seeks to fill gaps left by federal policy changes and maintain high standards in public health.
As debates around vaccination continue, Connecticut’s health officials emphasize the importance of evidence-based decision-making to protect public health and ensure that children receive necessary vaccinations to prevent serious diseases.
