www.bloomberg.com
A US vaccine advisory panel has recommended revoking the universal recommendation for newborns to receive hepatitis B vaccines within 24 hours of birth. This decision potentially reverses progress made in eliminating the disease in the US. Previously, immediate vaccination was considered crucial for preventing transmission from infected mothers to newborns. This change in recommendation could lead to an increase in hepatitis B infections, especially among vulnerable infants born to mothers with unknown or positive hepatitis B status. The impact of this decision is expected to be significant on public health efforts to combat the disease.
