Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine Sawbones: Hepatitis B
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Dec 16, 2025 A routine tetanus shot leads to an amusing revelation about Justin's missing Hepatitis B vaccine. Dr. Sydnee dives into the significance of Hep B, tracing its history and public health impact. They discuss the evolution of the vaccine from human plasma to safer recombinant production. Sydnee highlights the importance of vaccinating newborns and how it dramatically reduces transmission rates. With a focus on vaccine safety and cancer prevention, the conversation underscores the need to trust science amid political influences. It's both informative and entertaining!
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Justin's Accidental Hep B Start
- Justin cut his hand on a rusty screw while cleaning his daughter's sink and went to get a tetanus shot.
- At the pharmacy he noticed a checkbox for a Hepatitis B vaccine and got the first dose without prior knowledge of having it as a child.
Policy Change Driven By Politics
- ACIP changed its recommendation to a 'shared decision-making' approach for the timing of the Hep B vaccine at birth.
- Sydnee warns this change is driven by politics and not new scientific evidence.
Discovery Of Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis B (once called 'serum hepatitis' and the 'Australia antigen') was identified in the 1950s–60s by Dr. Blumberg.
- Identifying the virus made vaccine development possible and earned Blumberg a Nobel Prize.