This is a developing story. It will be updated.

A panel that issues advice on U.S. vaccine policy appears prepared to vote Thursday to recommend a delay in when most babies begin to be vaccinated against hepatitis B. Experts have warned that doing away with the so-called birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine will lead to an increase in the number of children who develop what can be a life-threatening chronic hepatitis B infection.

It had been known that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices would vote on recommended changes to the timing of hepatitis B vaccination in babies born to mothers who test negative for the virus during pregnancy. But until late Wednesday, it was unclear what the committee would propose as an alternative to the universal birth dose policy.

Draft votes p

See Full Page