Controversial Vaccine Policy Shift Sparks Heated Debate

A group of vaccine advisers to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voted to remove the recommendation for all newborns in the U.S. to receive a hepatitis B vaccine. Experts express concerns over increased risks to children, while emphasizing the controversial nature of this policy change.

In a significant shift to national health recommendations, a group of advisers to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has voted to end the universal hepatitis B vaccination for newborns. The move marks one of the most extensive changes in vaccine policy undertaken under Kennedy's leadership.

Notable health specialists have reacted negatively to the decision, raising concerns about the potential increase in health risks for children. Noel Brewer, a former ACIP member, expressed that eliminating universal hepatitis B vaccination could elevate children's risks of cancer and becoming lifelong carriers of the virus.

Despite divided opinions within the advisory committee, health associations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations are expected to maintain their endorsement of vaccinating infants at birth. This decision has sparked a public debate, reflecting divergent views on public health policy and parental choice.