A panel of federal vaccine advisors, recently appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted to omit the longstanding recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine on their first day. This controversial decision was made despite a lack of scientific evidence indicating harm from the initial dose or benefits from delaying the vaccination.

Many public health officials, medical professionals, and even some panel members criticized the vote. Historical data consistently shows that delaying hepatitis B vaccination can lead to increased infection rates among infants, raising the risk of chronic liver conditions, liver cancer, and early mortality later in life.

As pediatrician and panel member Cody Meissner emphasized, “We have always believed ‘do no harm’ is a core medical principle. Changing this recommendation without solid evidence could cause harm.”

Experts warn that removing this crucial vaccination step may undermine decades of progress in preventing hepatitis B transmission, especially in vulnerable newborn populations.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.