Maryland Department of Health Vaccination Updates

On Friday, Dec 5, the Maryland Department of Health responded to the CDC's Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) decision to not mandate the universal Hepatitis B vaccine birth dose for infants. 

Below are the following actions MDH took to further ensure HepB vaccine access in the state:

• Released a statement from Secretary Seshamani on the importance of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose
• Circulated an advisory to health care professionals reiterating the importance of administering the full vaccination series for hepatitis B, beginning at birth, in accordance with the AAP’s recommendations
• Issued a standing order to ensure hepatitis B vaccine access for infants and children across Maryland
• Posted a new FAQ about childhood vaccines, including hepatitis B, to the MDH website

MDH has also taken the following actions since September to provide resources and guidance on the following vaccinations:

• Issued MDH's updated respiratory virus immunization recommendations
• Issued a COVID-19 vaccine standing order
• Disseminated clinical vaccine guidance for healthcare providers
• Posted a new FAQ about vaccines for the public on our website
• Launched a new Maryland Respiratory Illness Data Dashboard
• Joined the bipartisan Northeast Public Health Collaborative
• Announced the Maryland Vaccine Program (MVP) to offer free vaccines to uninsured and underinsured adults at local health departments across the state