Breaking: CDC panel recommends delaying hep B vaccine birth dose

The change is likely to increase the number of people who develop chronic infections and liver cancer.

Log In    Subscribe BREAKING NEWS   CDC panel recommends delaying birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine By Helen Branswell Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images A panel that advises on U.S. vaccine policy voted on Friday to recommend a delay in when most babies begin to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, overturning a 30-year-old policy that has contributed to a massive decline in cases of the virus.   If the recommendation is formally adopted, it would be the most significant move against vaccines yet by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. READ MORE Sign up for Daily Recap All the health and medical news you need today, in one email. Learn more. In Case You Missed It 1   In sweeping presentation, vaccine critic set to urge government advisers to rethink childhood shots By Daniel Payne 2   Expert review finds delaying the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose would increase chronic infections in kids By Helen Branswell 3   Top Senate health leader calls CDC vaccine panel 'totally discredited' By Chelsea Cirruzzo 4   Vinay Prasad, FDA's vaccine regulator, waves off criticism in closed-door remarks By Damian Garde and Lizzy Lawrence Don't miss out on another STAT investigation Unlock the world of health and medicine with a subscription to STAT+ Learn more STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2025, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails Update Newsletter Preferences • Contact Us • Advertise with Us