(July 10, 2026) – KHA partnered with the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Immunize Kansas Coalition to understand vaccine hesitancy related to the Hepatitis B birth dose, and to develop resources to help address vaccine hesitancy. Our organizations conducted a survey of providers and clinicians who care for newborns this spring, with 114 physicians, advance practice providers, nurses and other clinicians responding. Over 70 percent of survey respondents indicated that in the last 12 months, the number of parents and caregivers declining the Hepatitis B vaccination for their newborn has increased. Survey respondents also provided recommendations on education and resources that would be helpful to provide factual information to parents and caregivers regarding the Hepatitis B birth dose, including a brief parent / caregiver handout, social media content and templates, scripting and posters for facilities and clinics to customize with their logo.
As a result of the survey findings and respondent feedback, the Immunize Kansas Coalition developed a
Hepatitis B Birth Dose Toolkit that includes handouts, social media toolkits in English and Spanish, HepB reels, a webinar and additional Hep B resources. Thank you to all our members who completed the survey. Your feedback was instrumental in developing these resources. Please feel free to suggest other education and resources needed on this topic to Karen Braman at
kbraman@kha-net.org.
-- Karen Braman