Hepatitis B Vaccine Guidance:
What’s Changed

January 3, 2026
9:45 pm

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated its guidance on hepatitis B vaccination for infants, reflecting a shift away from a one-size-fits-all model toward a more individualized, risk-based approach.

For more than 30 years, the CDC recommended that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine shortly after birth, regardless of personal or environmental risk factors. Today, advances in prenatal screening mean that most maternal hepatitis B infections are identified well before delivery. With clearer information available earlier, the CDC now recognizes that vaccination timing can be tailored when an infant’s risk is clearly low.

Through the MAHA movement, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has brought renewed attention to informed consent and whole-body, root-cause approaches to health—moving away from standardized protocols that may not reflect individual needs.

Under the new recommendations:

Infants born to mothers who test positive for hepatitis B, or whose status is unknown, should continue to receive the hepatitis B vaccine and immune globulin at birth. This remains a critical and time-sensitive medical intervention.
Infants born to mothers who test negative for hepatitis B during pregnancy have more freedom to now choose—in collaboration with their healthcare provider—to:
- Receive the first hepatitis B vaccine dose at birth, or
- Delay the first dose until 2 months of age or later

This update replaces an automatic universal recommendation with a more personalized option for families considered at lower risk.

At Active Edge, we focus on understanding risk at its source rather than applying blanket protocols. Our approach emphasizes:

- Evaluating household, lifestyle, and environmental exposure risks
- Supporting the body’s innate capacity for balance and resilience
- Ensuring patients feel educated, empowered, and supported, not rushed or pressured

We believe thoughtful medical decisions are best made when families understand why an intervention is recommended, when it is most appropriate, and how it fits into their broader health picture. This updated CDC guidance reinforces what we prioritize at Active Edge: root-cause evaluation, personalized care, informed consent, and thoughtful decision-making—rather than fear based or automatic choices.

Laura APRN, BC-FNP

Hi, I’m Laura — a certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Functional Health Practitioner with a passion for helping individuals uncover the root causes of their symptoms and reclaim their health. I became a Registered Nurse in 2012 and spent the early years of my career serving at two nationally recognized hospitals in Ohio: The Cleveland Clinic and Grant Medical Center, as well as Ortho One. For the past eight years, I’ve worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner, primarily in mental health settings, supporting patients through some of the most vulnerable chapters of their lives. While I’ve always been drawn to a holistic approach to wellness, my deep dive into Functional Medicine began after the birth of my third child. Following a course of antibiotics, I experienced significant gut health changes—both personally and in my newborn. Determined to understand the connection, I immersed myself in research on the gut microbiome and its role in whole-body health. That journey ignited a passion that reshaped my practice and my philosophy of care. My mission is to partner with patients to uncover the why behind their symptoms—not just manage them. I believe healing requires a personalized, systems-based approach because every person’s story, body, and path to wellness is unique. My goal is to empower patients with knowledge and support so they can become the healthiest, most vibrant version of themselves. When I’m not working, I’m with my husband and our four young childre —Bennett (6), Maddison (4), McKenna (2), and Bexley (3 months). They are my constant motivation and inspiration for practicing whole-body wellness and living the lifestyle I encourage in others.

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