Wisconsin Medicaid will continue to cover the hepatitis B vaccine for eligible Medicaid members, including newborns.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) follows the most current and rigorous scientific health and safety data available when recommending vaccinations for Wisconsinites. After reviewing such data alongside the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP’s) recommendations from the committee’s December 2025 meeting, DHS has not changed its recommendations on universal infant hepatitis B vaccination.

DHS continues to recommend all newborns receive routine hepatitis B vaccination because:

• Decades of data continue to support the universal birth dose and the routine three-dose hepatitis B vaccine series.

• ACIP did not present any new clinical data, on either safety or effectiveness, that would justify changes to the longstanding and successful public health practice of universal hepatitis B vaccination.
• Historically, routine vaccination of all newborns has proven more effective in reducing hepatitis B infections in infants than risk-based vaccination strategies.

Additionally, DHS is not recommending serology testing be used to make decisions regarding hepatitis B infant vaccination. Such a method is not:

• Consistent with current pediatric vaccination practices.
• A proven method to ensure children are protected.

DHS encourages open, supportive communication between parents and health care providers as an important part of high-quality clinical care.

Recommendations

• Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendation
• American Academy of Pediatrics: Fact Checked: Hepatitis B Vaccine Given to Newborns Reduces Risk of Chronic Infection
• Johns Hopkins University: Hepatitis B Vaccination is an Essential Safety Net for Newborns
• Routine Childhood Vaccine Schedule Recommendations