The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has postponed a decision on whether to change the hepatitis B vaccine schedule for newborns. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was set to vote on delaying the first dose from birth to one month for babies born to mothers who test negative for hepatitis B. The vote was delayed after members expressed concerns about the safety and necessity of the change.

The hepatitis B vaccine has been recommended at birth in the U.S. since 1991, significantly reducing infant infections. Before the vaccine, there were 18,000 annual infant infections; now, there are about 20 reported cases per year . Dr. Cody Meissner , an ACIP member, emphasized the vaccine's safety, stating, "There is no evidence of harm from administering t

See Full Page