Controversy Over Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendations for Newborns

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine advisers voted against the universal recommendation of hepatitis B vaccinations for all newborns. Instead, for infants of mothers testing negative, parents, in consultation with healthcare providers, should decide the vaccination timeline. The first dose shouldn't be earlier than two months old.

A group of advisers to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made the decision to modify the hepatitis B vaccine recommendations for newborns across the United States.

In a closely contested vote, the committee determined that blanket recommendations for all newborns should be reconsidered. For those infants whose mothers test negative for the virus, it was decided by an 8 to 11 margin that parents, guided by healthcare professionals, should take the lead in deciding on the timing of vaccinations.

Importantly, the committee advised that if parents choose to delay the vaccination process, the first dose should not be administered before the child reaches two months of age.

(With inputs from agencies.)