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The Health Ministry has reaffirmed that Malaysia will continue administering the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose, despite a recent policy shift in the United States moving away from universal newborn vaccination.
It said it has noted developments in the United States, where the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) voted earlier this month to discontinue its universal recommendation for the hepatitis B birth dose.
However, Malaysia’s policy remains unchanged.
The ministry stressed that the birth dose would continue to be provided under the National Immunisation Programme, in line with World Health Organisation recommendations.
“The administration of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose within 24 hours of birth is crucial to prevent transmission of the hepatitis B virus from mother to child.
“Hepatitis B infection acquired early in life carries a high risk of becoming chronic, which could lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer in adulthood.”
It also said Malaysia’s birth-dose policy, in place since 1989, has been highly effective in reducing infection rates among children and contributes to long-term population health protection.
It said national immunisation policies are determined based on scientific evidence, local and global epidemiological data and expert opinion.
Any policy changes would only be considered if supported by strong evidence and international consensus, it added.
“The Health Ministry would like to remind parents and caregivers to ensure their infants receive the birth dose according to the prescribed schedule.”
The US decision saw ACIP replace a long-standing universal approach with individualised decision-making for infants born to hepatitis B-negative mothers.
The revised recommendation was adopted by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on Dec 16, with infants who do not receive the birth dose advised to start vaccination at a later stage.
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