RFK Jr. Advocates Hepatitis B Vaccine Delay, Drawing Medical Concern

Medical experts are warning against a proposal by independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to delay routine hepatitis B vaccination in infants. Kennedy has suggested the immunization should be given later in childhood, not at birth. Doctors emphasize the vaccine has a long safety record from decades of use. The current three-dose schedule, starting within hours of birth, is designed to protect infants during a vulnerable period. Public health officials say changing this recommendation could leave newborns exposed. Hepatitis B is a viral liver infection that can be transmitted from an infected mother during childbirth. Early vaccination provides crucial protection before potential exposure. The medical consensus, supported by major health organizations, maintains that the benefits of the birth-dose vaccine far outweigh any risks. They advise parents to follow the established schedule and consult their pediatrician with any concerns.