About The Study: This study estimated the impact of replacing universal hepatitis B virus (HBV) birth-dose vaccination with a targeted recommendation on neonatal and subsequent chronic HBV infections in the U.S. The findings indicate that the targeted birth-dose vaccine recommendation will likely increase neonatal infections unless maternal screening rises substantially or vaccination coverage among infants of unscreened mothers exceeds current levels. As historic data show such improvements are unlikely, these findings underscore the continued importance of universal screening and vaccination as complementary safeguards.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Margaret L. Lind, PhD, email mllind@bu.edu .
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(doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2026.1226)
Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.
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JAMA Pediatrics