CDC Delays Key Vote on Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendation

U.S. health officials have postponed a decision on changing the national recommendation for newborn hepatitis B vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) delayed its scheduled vote until Friday. The current CDC guidance advises that all infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine shortly after birth. The committee is now reconsidering this long-standing policy. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist, addressed vaccine safety concerns in a recent interview. He stated there is "really no evidence" that the hepatitis B vaccine causes harm. The CDC's final decision could impact standard medical care for newborns nationwide. The committee's vote on Friday will determine if the recommendation remains unchanged.