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Debate Erupts Over Universal Hepatitis B Vaccination at Birth

12/11/2025

Summary

Story summary

Most Democratic-led states plan to continue administering the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
A federal vaccine advisory panel led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which includes skeptics, recommends vaccination only for infants with mothers known to have hepatitis B.
Critics say the move undermines decades of vaccination, while medical experts warn screening is inadequate and the Hepatitis B Foundation champions universal birth dosing.

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Story summary

Most Democratic-led states plan to continue administering the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
A federal vaccine advisory panel led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which includes skeptics, recommends vaccination only for infants with mothers known to have hepatitis B.
Critics say the move undermines decades of vaccination, while medical experts warn screening is inadequate and the Hepatitis B Foundation champions universal birth dosing.