CDC Modifies Child Vaccine Guidelines, Rejects Newborn Hepatitis B Shot

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially adopted a significant revision to the recommended childhood immunization schedule. The change involves discontinuing the long-held recommendation that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine shortly after birth.

The CDC's decision, made public Tuesday, aligns with a recommendation from a federal advisory panel. The panel suggested that the universal practice of vaccinating newborns against hepatitis B within the first 24 hours of life should be dropped.