Vaccine Advisory Panel Set to Revisit Hepatitis B, Other Childhood Shots Next Month

The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will revisit the childhood vaccine schedule, including hepatitis B, at its Dec. 4 meeting. The panel may vote on delaying the birth dose of hepatitis B, a long-standing recommendation credited with saving tens of thousands of lives. ACIP also may consider changes to the combined MMR vaccine and examine the safety of ingredients such as aluminum, despite longstanding evidence supporting their use.

Panel decisions directly influence insurance coverage and state vaccination policies, making the upcoming deliberations significant for public health programs, pediatric care, and immunization strategies nationwide. Read more from The Hill here.