The CDC's vaccine advisory committee has voted to end the universal hepatitis B vaccination recommendation for newborns, shifting the timing to two months for infants whose mothers test negative for the virus.
President Donald Trump has supported this controversial decision, calling for a review of the broader childhood vaccination schedule and suggesting that the U.S. administers too many vaccines.
Critics, including leading medical experts and organizations, warn that this policy change could increase hepatitis B infections in infants and reverse decades of public health progress.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his controversial views on vaccines, appointed the committee, raising concerns over the influence of vaccine skepticism on public health decisions.
The long-standing recommendation had been credited with drastically reducing early childhood hepatitis B infections, making the recent vote a significant departure from established health practices.
This shift in vaccination policy is part of a larger national conversation about childhood immunizations and health guidelines, sparking debate among parents, health professionals, and policymakers alike.
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