The Claim:
A self-described #1 NYT Bestselling Author of Good Energy – The Surprising Connection between Metabolism and Limitless Health, Dr. Casey Means claims that newborns are unnecessarily given a hepatitis B vaccine, despite the fact that the disease is transmitted through sex or intravenous drug use, which infants are not exposed to, making the vaccination at birth unnecessary and unwarranted.
The Facts:
While Hep B is sexually transmitted, it’s not only sexually transmitted. It is also passed vertically from mother to infant during birth. The tweet claims that mothers are tested so babies aren’t at risk, yet 1,000 infants get Hep B in the US every year. Hep B infection can lead to chronic Hep B. Chronic Hep B can last a lifetime and lead to serious illnesses such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. The younger you are when you get hepatitis B, the more likely it will become chronic. There is no cure for hepatitis B, but vaccines can prevent it.
The widespread implementation of Hep B vaccination programs, including the birth dose, has led to significant reductions in Hep B worldwide. By immunizing newborns, the goal is to achieve a high vaccination coverage rate and create a population with decreased Hep B transmission, ultimately reducing the burden of related diseases.
Disclaimer: Science is always evolving and our understanding of these topics may have evolved too since this was originally posted. Be sure to check out our most recent posts and browse the latest Just the Facts Topics for the latest.
Just the Facts Newsletter:
Correcting this week's disinformation
Sign up to get a weekly look at the latest vaccination facts as we debunk the latest false vaccination claims making the rounds on the internet.