Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. overhauled the federal advisory panel earlier this year

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A federal advisory panel no longer universally recommends the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns within 24 hours of birth.

The panel was recently overhauled by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously questioned vaccine safety.

Despite the federal panel's change, the Rhode Island Department of Health maintains its recommendation for newborns to be vaccinated at birth.

After a federal advisory panel changed its recommendation on the hepatitis B vaccine schedule for newborns on Friday, Dec. 5, the Rhode Island Department of Health stood by its recommendation that newborns should be vaccinated within 24 hours of birth.

"No matter what

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