Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Health, Pregnancy, US News
Lucy Devine
Topics: Donald Trump, Health, Pregnancy, US News
US President Donald Trump has been criticised for claiming that hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted disease.
During a press conference with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday (22 September), Trump made a claim about the disease, advocating that infants shouldn't receive a vaccine for hepatitis B until they are much older.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection that can be passed on via blood, semen and vaginal fluids. It can also be passed onto a baby via pregnancy or birth, or via shared needles, unsterilised tattoo equipment or blood transfusions in a country that doesn't screen for the disease.
In the UK, the hepatitis B vaccine is part of the 6-in-1 jab, which infants receive at eight weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks of age.
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Speaking to the press on Monday, people were surprised when Trump referred to hep B as a 'sexually transmitted' disease.
“Hepatitis B is sexually transmitted. There's no reason to give a baby, that's almost just born, hepatitis B. I would say, wait till the baby is 12 years old and formed and take hepatitis B,” Trump said.
“I think if you do those things it's going to be a whole different — it's going to be a revolution, in a positive sense, in the country."
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has explained why children are vaccinated against hep B, explaining that many chronically infected people don't know they are infected.
CHOP explained that half of young children with the disease are infected from their mother during birth, meanwhile, others can get it from members of their family.
“For these reasons, all young children are recommended to receive the hepatitis B vaccine,” they explain.
“The best time to receive the first dose is right after birth. This will ensure that the child will be protected as quickly as possible since many people don’t know that they are infected with the virus.”
People were shocked at Trump's comments, with one writing: "The number one way it’s transmitted is from mother to child…Wow!"
While another said: "Do not get your Healthcare advice from politicians."
It's the second health claim that Trump has made this week, after he was slammed for claiming that Tylenol taken in pregnancy can cause autism.
The active ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen, which is better known as paracetamol in the UK.
Speaking about the drug, Trump claimed: "The FDA will be notifying physicians that the use of acetaminophen, which is commonly known as Tylenol during pregnancy can be associated with a very increased risk of autism.
"So taking Tylenol is not good. For this reason they are strongly recommending women limit Tylenol use in pregnancy, unless medically necessary, that's for instance in cases of extremely high fever, that you feel you can't tough it out, you can't do it, I guess there's that.
"If you can't tough it out, if you can't do it, you'll take a Tylenol but it will be very sparingly."
Trump also added 'you shouldn't take it during the entire pregnancy'.
Tyla has reached out to The White House for comment.