DEVELOPING: Vaccine Panel to Recommend Delaying Hepatitis B Shot in Children Amid Growing Concerns

BREAKING NEWS Federal Vaccine Panel Expected to Recommend Delaying Hepatitis B Shot in Children A key federal vaccine advisory panel is set to vote on Thursday to recommend delaying the hepatitis B shot for children until age 4, according to two former senior officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vote is expected during the next meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The recommendation would mark a significant change in vaccination policy, with immediate implications for newborns and young children. If approved, it could lead to a delay in administering the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Background: Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that can be prevented through vaccination. The current standard practice is to give the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns within 24 hours of birth. The vote comes after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced several members of the ACIP with new appointees, sparking concerns about the direction of the committee's recommendations. This decision has significant implications for public health policy and could impact vaccination schedules nationwide. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Npr.*