Posts circulate myths about hepatitis B vaccines for infants

Several large social media accounts are circulating false claims about hepatitis B vaccines, including myths that the vaccine is unsafe and unnecessary for infants. One post falsely claims that the disease doesn’t pose a risk to babies and that the vaccine contains a toxic amount of aluminum. 

Recommendation: Trending conversations promoting false claims about hepatitis B and hepatitis B vaccines provide an opportunity for health agencies, community-based organizations, and other partners to highlight the importance and safety of the hepatitis B vaccine. Messaging may emphasize that the hepatitis B vaccine is given at birth to prevent transmission of the virus from mother to child. Most people who have hepatitis are not aware of it, and infants can be exposed to the virus by other loved ones who come in contact with the baby. The hepatitis B vaccine is one of the safest vaccines available, with an extremely low risk of serious side effects. If responding directly to false claims that the aluminum present in the hepatitis B vaccine is unsafe, messaging may emphasize that aluminum has been safely used in vaccines as an adjuvant—which helps create a stronger immune response—for more than 70 years.