Marin County families from Novato to Sausalito are being urged to stick with newborn hepatitis B vaccinations. This comes as a federal advisory panel shifts away from the usual universal birth-dose recommendation.
Marin County Public Health leaders say this change, coming from a national vaccine policy committee, could confuse parents and doctors in places like San Rafael, Mill Valley, and Corte Madera. They worry it could put newborns at greater risk for a preventable, lifelong liver infection.
Discover hand-picked hotels and vacation homes tailored for every traveler. Skip booking fees and secure your dream stay today with real-time availability!
Browse Accommodations Now
Marin County Pushes Back on Federal Hepatitis B Policy Shift
The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the CDC, recently voted to end its universal recommendation for all newborns to get the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. That policy has been around since 1991 and has helped drop pediatric hepatitis B infections in the U.S. by about 99%—from around 16,000 cases a year to fewer than 20.
Marin County Public Health is now urging hospitals, pediatricians, and families in Fairfax, Larkspur, Greenbrae, and Tiburon to keep up strong newborn vaccination practices. They want this to continue regardless of what the new federal stance says.
Why Local Health Officials Are Concerned
County officials say the federal policy change isn’t based on any new safety issue or scientific discovery about the vaccine. Instead, it tweaks how and when the vaccine is recommended, which could make it harder for some families—especially those relying on public vaccine programs—to get their babies vaccinated.
Marin’s public health officer, Dr. Lisa Santora, says the evidence for early hepatitis B vaccination remains solid. The vaccine’s track record is decades long, and it’s proven effective in preventing childhood infections, from community clinics in San Anselmo to hospital maternity wards in Kentfield.
The High Stakes of Hepatitis B at Birth
Hepatitis B infection at birth is especially dangerous in Marin County and everywhere else. If a baby gets infected in the first days of life, up to 90% of those infections become lifelong, raising the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer down the road.
For families in Ross, Belvedere, and coastal towns like Stinson Beach and Bolinas, that risk isn’t just theoretical. Public health officials point out that skipping a single vaccination can have consequences that show up decades later, long after the newborn stage has passed.
Why the Birth Dose Matters
The first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth acts as a crucial safety net. It protects infants when their immune systems are most vulnerable and when exposure can happen without anyone realizing it—through undetected maternal infection or contact with infected blood or fluids early in life.
That’s why Marin County is sticking with major medical organizations that still strongly support newborn hepatitis B vaccination within the first day of life, regardless of the ACIP’s new guidance.
New Testing Recommendation Draws Local Scrutiny
The ACIP’s policy change also suggests that parents get blood tests after each hepatitis B vaccine dose. Marin County health leaders, along with regional partners, say this approach isn’t backed by credible evidence and could end up doing more harm than good.
Pediatricians in San Rafael, Novato, and Mill Valley think this new testing suggestion might add confusion and lead to unnecessary medical procedures. It doesn’t seem to improve protection for kids.
Risk of Increased Liver Disease and Cancer
Marin officials warn that extra blood tests might discourage families from finishing the full vaccine series. If completion rates drop—especially among newborns and infants—more preventable hepatitis B infections could happen, leading to higher rates of liver disease and cancer in adults from communities like Corte Madera, Larkspur, and Fairfax.
Local experts emphasize what’s already clear:
Vaccine Access in Marin: The Role of Federal Guidelines
Many childhood vaccines in Marin come through the Vaccines for Children program, which follows ACIP recommendations. If the federal policy doesn’t prioritize a universal birth dose anymore, access could get patchy for families in lower-income areas of San Rafael or for underinsured families out in West Marin.
Local health leaders worry that what seems like a technical policy tweak in Washington, D.C., could turn into real barriers at clinics in Novato or at hospital birthing centers across the county.
Regional Opposition from the West Coast
The West Coast Health Alliance, which covers California, Oregon, and Washington, has firmly opposed the ACIP’s change. The alliance supports newborn hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth and is working to keep state and local policies in line with that standard.
Marin County’s stance matches this regional push, reinforcing a West Coast approach that puts early, universal protection for newborns first.
New Online Hub for Marin Families and Providers
To help parents and healthcare providers with these changing federal rules, Marin County has launched an online hub focused on hepatitis B vaccination. The resource offers fact sheets, science-based explanations, and practical tips for families from Sausalito to Novato.
On the site, parents can find straightforward answers to common questions, including:
What Marin Parents Can Do Now
If you’re expecting or just welcomed a new baby in San Rafael, Mill Valley, Tiburon, or anywhere nearby, county health experts have a few clear tips.
Marin County keeps saying the same thing, and honestly, it makes sense: early hepatitis B shots at birth save lives. Local health officials want every newborn in the area to get this protection right from day one.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin County health officials urge childhood vaccines despite shift in federal policy
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now
Cities and Towns in Marin County
Things to Do in Marin County
Places to Stay in Marin County
